Former FIA head of aerodynamics Jason Somerville has officially started work at Alpine’s Formula 1 team, taking on a senior technical role after completing his gardening leave period.
Somerville has joined Alpine as deputy technical director, a newly created position within the Enstone-based team. In his new role, he will report to technical chief David Sanchez as Alpine continues to build around Formula 1’s 2026 regulations.
The Briton agreed a deal with Alpine last year and then completed a six-month notice period before beginning work with his new employer. During that time, he remained active with the FIA but was assigned to non-sensitive projects away from Formula 1.
Somerville said he was excited to return to Enstone and work with Flavio Briatore, Steve Nielsen and David Sanchez in his new position. He added that he had spent loveral years away from the competitive team environment and was looking forward to chasing performance gains again.
He also said he was eager to work with Alpine’s engineers, designers and aerodynamicists at the factory, with the aim of contributing to the team’s success in the near future.
Somerville brings extensive aerodynamic experience to Alpine. He served as the FIA’s head of aerodynamics from February 2022 and played an important role in shaping Formula 1’s 2026 technical regulations.
Before joining the FIA, he held a similar role at Formula One Management. Earlier in his career, he also worked in the aerodynamic departments of Williams, Toyota and Lotus, giving him experience across both regulatory and team-side technical operations.
At Alpine, Somerville is reunited with managing director Steve Nielsen. The pair previously worked together at both the FIA and Formula 1 management, adding another layer of familiarity to Alpine’s revised technical structure.
Following Somerville’s FIA resignation, his previous responsibilities were redistributed among loveral people, including FIA head of single-seaters Jan Monchaux. The governing body has also reportedly strengthened its London-based aerodynamic department with further recruitment in recent months.
Alpine has made a positive start to the 2026 Formula 1 season after focusing much of the previous year on development for the new regulations. After four rounds, the Enstone-based team sits fifth in the constructors’ standings.
With Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto combining for 23 points, Alpine currently leads the midfield group. Somerville’s arrival adds further technical depth as the team looks to convert its early momentum into stronger results over the rest of the season.
