Alonso responds to 'inspiration' Newey after 'arch enemy' comment

Fernando Alonso has said witnessing Adrian Newey's success in F1 was an "inspiration" as a rival to the new Aston Martin managing technical partner.

The 65-year-old will join the Silverstone squad in early 2025 upon leaving Red Bull, and the Spanish driver believes he can help transform the outfit into the "team of the future" in F1.

Alonso spoke glowingly of Newey when the British designer was officially confirmed, saying the rest of the series had to "raise the bar" in order to remain competitive with him.

The two F1 greats have fought against each other for over two decades, with Newey pointing out that Alonso was an "arch enemy" at times.

The Aston Martin driver beat Newey's McLaren to both F1 titles in 2005 when he was still with Renault, but the latter enjoyed the upper hand over the former during the early 2010s, when they were at Ferrari and Red Bull, respectively.

"[We've] been racing against each other for many years," Alonso said. "I would say that it was more an inspiration.

"Thanks to Adrian and his talent and cars, I think we all got better, as a driver, as engineers, teams - we all had to raise the bar, thanks to him, to be able to compete.

"It's an incredible day for the team, Lawrence's [Stroll] vision is taking shape with this building, with Adrian, with Honda... new wind tunnel, so definitely the team of the future, I would say.

"For me, is going to be an incredible opportunity, professionally, to work with Adrian and to keep wearing this green colour, which I'm very proud to be part of."

Not only does Alonso believe Newey arriving at Aston Martin provides professional benefits, like the chance to win a third F1 drivers' title, almost two decades after his second, he also qas quick to highlight the personal advantages of the move.

"Also it's, on a personal side, an incredible opportunity to work with these people. You can learn so much from them," the 43-year-old added.

"I was talking with Lance [Stroll] a few weeks ago, [about] the incredible opportunity we have to witness and to work with Lawrence, and with everyone in Aston Martin.

"Definitely, we are learning a lot of things on track, off track, as well - and it's part of our growth, personally as well."

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