Even though he has never worked with the famous designer himself, Fernando Alonso considers himself lucky to live and drive at a time when Adrian Newey is also active in Formula 1.
Red Bull’s design guru is considered one of the best Formula 1 engineers of all time and was responsible for the development of ten cars that won the premier class constructors’ world championship.
Looking back on his illustrious career this year, Newey said he had “emotional regrets” about not working directly with Lewis Hamilton and Alonso, as well as a possible move to Ferrari.
“It would have been great to work with Fernando and Lewis. But it never happened. Sometimes it’s just circumstances, that’s life,” Newey said on the “Beyond the Grid” podcast.
The Brit started his Formula 1 career at March and won five constructors’ and four drivers’ titles with Williams between 1991 and 1997 before moving to McLaren and staying there until 2005. He finally moved to Red Bull in 2006 – a year before Hamilton and Alonso came to McLaren.
Alonso himself says that it is a privilege for him to be in Formula 1 at the same time as Newey: “He is a legend in this sport,” praises the Spaniard. “We’ve been close to working together a few times and talked about it.”
Alonso still has a lot to do in Formula 1
But the two-time world champion never moved to Red Bull. Their paths only crossed briefly: “I remember when he published a book in Spain a few years ago, I had the privilege of writing the first page, the prologue,” said Alonso.
“For me, he’s just an incredible person and I was lucky enough to work with him in the same environment. Even though we never worked together, I’m glad that I’m living and racing in this time – in the Adrian Newey Formula 1-Builds cars.”
Alonso would like to work with the 64-year-old again one day, but until then he will privately drive the Aston Martin Valkyrie, in whose project Newey played a leading role. “Maybe I’ll feel something when I get in,” he laughs. “That will make me happy.”
The Spaniard’s appreciation for Newey is a little strange, after all, his cars cost Alonso three world championship titles when he was runner-up to Sebastian Vettel three times at Ferrari.
But when asked about it, he laughs: “He is responsible for the fact that 19 drivers did not win a championship for more than two decades!”