Jason Somerville returns to Enstone as Alpine create brand-new deputy technical director role
The Alpine F1 Team outfit has officially confirmed the signing of former FIA aerodynamics chief Jason Somerville in a significant technical recruitment move aimed at strengthening its long-term Formula 1 ambitions.
Somerville joins the Enstone-based squad as deputy technical director, a newly created position within the team’s engineering structure, and will begin work immediately under executive technical director David Sanchez.
The appointment had been heavily anticipated after reports earlier this week linked the experienced aerodynamicist with a return to team-based competition following his spell at the FIA. Alpine has now formally announced the move, marking another notable addition as the team continues reshaping its technical department under the leadership of Flavio Briatore and senior management.
Somerville’s arrival also represents a homecoming of sorts. The engineer previously worked at Enstone during the Lotus era in 2010 and 2011 before moving on to broader roles within motorsport, eventually becoming the FIA’s head of aerodynamics.
His experience on the governing body side of Formula 1 is expected to offer Alpine valuable insight into the sport’s increasingly complex technical regulations, particularly as teams continue developing under the current ground-effect era while simultaneously preparing for the major 2027 regulatory cycle.
Speaking after the announcement, Somerville admitted he was eager to return to the competitive environment of a Formula 1 team.
> “I am really excited to be returning to Enstone and working with Flavio, Steve, and David in this new role,” he said.
> “I have been away from the competitive side of motorsport within a team environment for a few years now and I’m relishing the opportunity to be back in the thick of it, hunting milliseconds and fighting our rivals for points and hopefully silverware.”
> “I am looking forward to getting underway and joining the superb team of engineers, designers, and aerodynamicists at the factory and hopefully contributing to some of the team’s success in the not too distant future.”
The signing comes during a critical phase for Alpine as the team attempts to re-establish itself as a consistent front-running force after several turbulent seasons both on and off the circuit.
While Alpine has shown flashes of competitiveness in recent campaigns, inconsistency in performance and frequent internal restructuring have prevented the squad from mounting a sustained challenge against Formula 1’s leading teams. The recruitment of high-level technical personnel has therefore become a major focus behind the scenes.
David Sanchez’s arrival earlier in the project was viewed as a major coup, and Somerville’s addition further strengthens a department tasked with accelerating Alpine’s car development programme amid fierce midfield competition.
The FIA connection also adds intrigue within the paddock. Senior technical figures moving directly from the governing body into Formula 1 teams often attract attention due to their detailed understanding of aerodynamic interpretations and regulatory frameworks, although strict compliance protocols are typically observed during such transitions.
For Alpine, however, the priority is clear: building a stronger technical foundation capable of delivering results on track. With the midfield battle tighter than ever and long-term regulation changes looming on the horizon, the Enstone operation appears determined to ensure it has the right personnel in place for the next phase of its rebuild.