As anticipated in recent reports, Alpine has now officially confirmed the appointment of former FIA Head of Aerodynamics Jason Somerville. The experienced engineer will take on a newly created role within the French team’s technical structure as Deputy Technical Director, reporting directly to Executive Technical Director David Sanchez.
For Jason Somerville, this marks a return to Enstone, where he previously worked between 2010 and 2011 as part of the aerodynamic department. Across his career, he has also built experience with Williams, Toyota Racing, Formula One Management and the FIA, where he most recently served as Head of Aerodynamics, overseeing multiple regulatory cycles and contributing to Formula 1’s evolving technical framework.
The newly created position has been established with the goal of further strengthening Alpine’s technical organisation during what the team considers a critical growth phase, particularly for the continued development of the A526 and future Formula 1 projects.
After the opening four rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Alpine currently sits fifth in the Constructors’ Championship with 23 points — already surpassing the team’s entire points tally from the full 2025 campaign.
Jason Somerville commented on his return:
“I’m truly excited to return to Enstone and work with Flavio, Steve and David in this new role. I’ve been away from the competitive side of motorsport within a team environment for several years, so I’m really enjoying the opportunity to get back into the heart of the action — chasing thousandths of a second and fighting our rivals for points and, hopefully, trophies. I can’t wait to get started and join this outstanding group of engineers, designers and aerodynamicists at the factory, helping contribute to the team’s success in the near future.”
Executive Technical Director David Sanchez also highlighted the significance of the appointment:
“We are delighted to welcome someone of Jason’s calibre and experience to the team as we continue our growth journey. The work the team has done this season has been outstanding, but we all know this is only the beginning, and nobody inside the organisation is becoming complacent. Jason’s arrival within our technical group will allow us to take further important steps forward in improving our performance.”
In summary, Jason Somerville’s high-profile return to Alpine as deputy technical director signals the team’s aggressive intent to restructure and solidify its engineering department, ensuring sustainable growth and competitive momentum throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season and beyond.
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