Alpine have hired former FIA man Jason Somerville, an architect of the current Formula 1 regulations, as the team’s Deputy Technical Director.

The Enstone-based team will welcome the Briton within its ranks in the newly formed role of Deputy Technical Director.

Somerville will report directly to Executive Technical Director David Sanchez.

The 57-year-old has a swathe of technical experience and expertise, having previously worked with the Anglo-French marque until 2011, before making a move to Williams.

The Briton will leave his role as the Head of Aerodynamics at the FIA to join Alpine.

“Last day with the FIA today. Massive thanks to my FIA colleagues, our technical partners and representatives at FOM and the F1 teams who’ve made the last 4 years so fascinating, enjoyable and challenging! Next chapter starts tomorrow,” Somerville said in a social media post confirming his hiring.

He then went on to say, “I am really excited to be returning to Enstone and working with Flavio, Steve, and David in this new role.”

“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.”

Alpine’s new F1 hiring was key in developing 2026 F1 rule reset

Somerville has an extensive CV, working not only on the competitive but also the regulatory side of motorsport.

The 57-year-old previously worked within F1 between 2017 and 2022 – working closely on developing the 2022 regulations reset.

At the FIA, where has spent his time since, Somerville was key in the plotting and eventual development of the current rule-set.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Jason’s calibre and experience joining the team and to continue our sustained level of progress,” Sanchez added.

“The work the team has already done this season has been extraordinary, but we all know that is just the beginning of the job and not one team member is resting on their laurels.

“Adding Jason to our technical team will allow us to take even further steps to better our performance in the latest Formula One development race.”

Alpine have had a solid start to F1’s latest era, and would look to build on this momentum through 2026 – especially with the lofty ambitions it has proposed for itself of fighting at very sharp end of the field.

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