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Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has revealed that Fernando Alonso humorously suggested he would contribute part of Adrian Newey’s salary from his own earnings. Speaking to the media ahead of the 2024 Azerbaijan GP, Krack noted the excitement within the team following the announcement of Newey’s arrival.
Alonso and Newey have long admired each other’s work, and their upcoming collaboration has generated anticipation both within Aston Martin and across the paddock. In the past, Newey has mentioned Alonso and Lewis Hamilton as the two drivers he would have liked to work with. During his Ferrari years, Alonso lost several titles to cars designed by the British engineer.
Krack believes Newey’s addition could extend Alonso’s career in F1, suggesting the 42-year-old Spaniard sees a long-term future with the team. He added that Alonso jokingly remarked about contributing a portion of Newey’s salary to bring the British aerodynamicist onboard.
Asked if the arrival of Newey meant Alonso could complete 500 races in his career or have a longer career, Krack said:
“Yes, why not.”
Speaking about the longevity of Alonso’s career and Newey’s arrival, the Aston Martin team principal said:
“We had not had these conversations because you will remember it's only a couple of months ago that we did that. But I think it is clear Fernando has a long future in this team and he was all excited about it on Tuesday also when we had the discussions. He was even saying that he will pay some of his wages to pay Adrian. There was a talk about 10%, 20%. So I will find out later today how much it really is. But yeah, you can really see the huge respect that these two that these two people have for each other and I think they want to achieve something.”
“For Adrian, he wanted always to work with someone like Fernando and vice versa. So I think yeah we have to try and put everything in place and also facilitate a collaboration between these two, between the drivers and Adrian as well. We know he comes to races, so we need to learn as much as we can and be open and flexible.”
Mike Krack admits Adrian Newey's arrival could open doors for drivers like Max Verstappen at Aston Martin
Mike Krack believes Adrian Newey’s arrival at Aston Martin could attract top-tier drivers in the future. He suggested that partnering with the championship-winning British engineer lends credibility to Lawrence Stroll’s ambitious vision for the team’s project. According to Krack, Newey’s presence boosts the team’s confidence, elevating Aston Martin from being mere underdogs on the grid to serious contenders. He is not dismissing the possibility of recruiting elite drivers like Max Verstappen in the coming years.
Asked if Newey’s arrival to Aston Martin would influence the drivers that join the team for 2026 and beyond, Krack said:
“I think it will make a difference for everybody starting with the staff. I think when when you manage to appoint Adrian Newey, it's a proof that the project is credible. That the whole vision of Lawrence is not only words but also action. It can take confidence of as a team, that this is not only underdogs like in the past. But its a team that should be confident that it can do it. But then also we have a completely different approach for partners and the same for race drivers. I think it opens a lot of doors for the future.”
Asked if it opened the door for the likes of Verstappen to join Aston Martin, Krack replied:
“The door for Max Verstappen is always open for everything.”
Adrian Newey’s reunion with Honda in 2026 has fueled speculation about a possible move for Max Verstappen to Aston Martin. Rumors suggest that the Dutchman is high on Lawrence Stroll’s list of potential recruits. Initial reports of negotiations between the reigning champion and the Silverstone team surfaced during the summer break, with Italian outlets claiming that a meeting between the Stroll family and the Verstappens took place. If Verstappen were to join forces with Honda and Newey at Aston Martin, it could mark the beginning of a new era in F1. Regardless, Newey’s arrival signals a promising future for the team.
