What happened: Adrian Newey says he wants Fernando Alonso to remain at Aston Martin for the 2027 Formula 1 season. Newey pointed to Alonso's experience, his feel for the car, and his ability to guide development as reasons he considers the veteran a key asset for the team.

Why it matters: Retaining Alonso would give Aston Martin a proven reference point as it heads into the next phase of its project under Newey's technical direction. A driver who can steer development is especially valuable for a team trying to climb the grid, and Alonso's continuity would anchor the lineup amid a period of regulatory and technical change.

What to watch: Watch for whether Aston Martin moves to formalize Alonso's contract for 2027 and how the team's development trajectory shapes that decision.