Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has tipped Williams to be a “team to be reckoned with” once the impending regulation change coming to Formula 1 in 2026 takes place.
Aston Martin is among several teams aiming to capitalise on the upcoming reset to bridge the gap to the leading quartet of McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes.
The Silverstone-based squad was the next-placed team in the Constructors’ Standings last year, but it endured an alarming slide down the order as the season progressed.
However, Aston Martin has been backed to produce a resurgence under the new regulations as design guru Adrian Newey is scheduled to begin work at the side in April.
Newey will be overseeing the technical contingent at Aston Martin’s renovated headquarters, while the team will also have an exclusive engine partnership with Honda.
Alonso, who is contracted to race in 2026, has acknowledged that Newey’s acquisition has ramped up the expectation for Aston Martin to hit the ground running next term.
“In 2026, of course, we get new regulations and Adrian Newey joins our project from April this year,” Alonso told DAZN.
“So we should actually be excited for a good year, where we might even win a World Championship. Those are big words, but expectations are high.
“I also know they will be, because we are in the preseason of 2026 and the presentation of that car is also getting closer and closer.
“New regulations, Adrian Newey, Fernando Alonso… I already know what questions you are going to ask me! ‘Can we dream of a championship?’
“I would ask that question as an outsider too, if I saw Newey move to another team.”
Alonso backs Williams to be a surprise
However, Alonso believes that Williams should not be underestimated, despite the team having languished down in ninth place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2024.
Williams is undergoing a seismic restructuring under James Vowles, who has reiterated that the Grove-based squad’s attention is honed on the rules overhaul.
‘If I were a journalist, or watching Formula 1 at home in front of the tube, I would mostly see Williams as a team to be reckoned with,” the Spaniard continued.
“Then it’s quite normal that Aston Martin is seen that way too. But we are all incredibly excited!’
When does Williams expect to return to the top?
Vowles, though, has been on record as asserting that Williams doesn’t anticipate being able to provide new signing Carlos Sainz with a race-winning car until 2028.
Asked about a timeline on when victories might be attainable, Vowles responded: “I think if you ask me to commit to a date, I would have said more ’28, but I think the point is we should be on the right journey to get towards there as well.
“There’s quite a bit of investment, senior management and other elements, that are kicking in for ’26 and ’27. It takes time in F1.
“We can shortcut some bits and I’m sure we can have some faster performance [coming] to the table, but you won’t have the foundations in place, and it will collapse at some point.
“Getting it right is the real key behind being successful in F1, not for one year but for many, many years in front.
“[So], ’28 I’d be a lot more confident about looking you in the eyes and saying, ‘Yes’.”
READ MORE – Aston Martin told F1 success will ‘take more than Adrian Newey’
