Fernando Alonso has publicly backed Aston Martin's technical director Adrian Newey, dismissing concerns about the team's pre-season performance. The two-time Formula 1 champion insists Newey hasn't 'forgotten' how to design competitive cars despite early indications that Aston Martin may struggle in the new season.

This year's regulation changes have created uncertainty across the grid, with teams racing to adapt their designs. While the pecking order remains unclear, current testing suggests Aston Martin is falling behind rivals who have seemingly found better solutions to the new technical rules. The team's performance has raised questions about whether Newey's design philosophy is still effective in the modern F1 era.

Alonso's defense of his technical director carries significant weight given his experience and status in the sport. The Spanish driver's confidence suggests he believes Aston Martin can still turn their fortunes around once the season begins. With the first race approaching, all eyes will be on whether Newey's designs can deliver the expected performance improvements.