Alpine adds former FIA aero chief to F1 technical structure

Alpine has strengthened its growing 2026 Formula 1 project by officially welcoming former FIA head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville into its technical structure following the completion of his six-month gardening leave.

The highly regarded British engineer arrives at Enstone in the newly-created role of deputy technical director, working under technical chief David Sanchez.

His move had been agreed late last year, but regulatory sensitivities surrounding Formula 1’s upcoming rules overhaul meant Somerville remained tied to the FIA during his gardening leave period, albeit away from active F1 projects.

Now officially embedded inside Alpine’s operation, Somerville joins a team already carrying growing momentum after an encouraging start to the 2026 campaign.

Returning to the competitive front line

For Somerville, the move marks a return to the sharp end of Formula 1 after several years spent shaping the sport’s regulatory future from the governing body side.

“I am really excited to be returning to Enstone and working with Flavio, Steve, and David in this new role,” Somervile said.

“I have been away from the competitive side of motorsport within a team environment for a few years now and I'm relishing the opportunity to be back in the thick of it, hunting milliseconds and fighting our rivals for points and hopefully silverware.

“I am looking forward to getting underway and joining the superb team of engineers, designers, and aerodynamicists at the factory and hopefully contributing to some of the team's success in the not too distant future."

His arrival also reunites him with Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen, with whom he previously worked both at the FIA and within Formula One Management.

Alpine adds firepower for 2026 push

Somerville’s recruitment is significant not only because of his technical pedigree, but because of his intimate involvement in shaping Formula 1’s new 2026 regulations during his FIA tenure.

Since taking over as the FIA’s head of aerodynamics in 2022, he became one of the central figures influencing the sport’s next-generation rulebook.

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Before joining motorsport’s governing body, Somerville built experience across several Formula 1 operations including Williams Racing, Toyota and Lotus, alongside a previous aerodynamics role within Formula One Management.

His switch comes at a timely moment for Alpine. After sacrificing much of last season to focus heavily on the 2026 regulations, the Enstone-based squad has emerged as one of the midfield’s early standouts.

With Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto combining for 23 points in the opening rounds, Alpine currently sits fifth in the constructors’ standings – and now has another major technical weapon joining the fight.

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