Alonso reveals regret at never working with one ‘legend of the sport’ during his career

Fernando Alonso has admitted that he “wishes” to one day link up with Formula 1 design guru Adrian Newey, who penned yet another double championship-winning car in 2023.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s latest triumphs mean Newey-designed challengers have now won 12 constructors’ titles and 13 drivers’ crowns, including the Briton’s previous successes at Williams and McLaren.

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The names who have driven Newey’s cars to title glory are Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen, Sebastian Vettel and the aforementioned Verstappen.

However, in an appearance on the Beyond The Grid podcast earlier this year, Alonso was one of two drivers Newey named that he would have loved to work with.

“Working with Fernando or Lewis [Hamilton] would have been fabulous, but it never happened,” he said. “It’s just circumstance, sometimes that’s the way it is.”

When asked for his response to Newey’s comments, Alonso stated: “I read [it] also a few months ago. Honestly, [he’s] a legend of the sport.

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“We’ve been very close a few times to work together, and we spoke about this. I remember when he published a book a few years ago, in Spain I had the privilege to do the [foreword].

“For me, it’s just an incredible person that I was so lucky to work in the same environment as him, even if we never worked together. I’m happy that I’m living and I’m driving in this time that Adrian Newey is building Formula 1 cars.

“I wish one day I was working with him. I will drive the Valkyrie [Aston Martin hypercar] at home and maybe I feel something already when I jump in and that would make me happy!”

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Asked if he would have won more than two world championships by working with Newey, Alonso humorously signed off: “He’s responsible for 19 drivers for two decades not to win championships!”