Jacques Villeneuve tells Fernando Alonso what he must do to win an F1 championship with Aston Martin

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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso might just be the most patient driver in the history of Formula 1.

The Spanish legend made his Formula 1 debut in 2001 with Minardi, two years before rookie Franco Colapinto was born.

Colapinto was chasing Fernando Alonso during the opening laps of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the 43-year-old secured his best result since Canada by finishing 6^th.

It’s been 18 years since Alonso last won a world championship and more than a decade since his last F1 victory.

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

That might be about to change though as Aston Martin are building a phenomenal team of staff behind the scenes.

Adrian Newey will be the jewel in the crown after deciding to leave Red Bull for the British team and he’ll start work in March next year.

Speaking to the Spanish outlet Marca, another former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has given his thoughts on F1’s most experienced driver.

Aston Martin currently sit 5^th in the Constructors’ Championship and with the regulations unlikely to change dramatically next year, it’s hard to see Mike Krack’s team making much progress.

However, Villeneuve has told Alonso what he needs to do now to earn his third world championship.

It won’t be easy but if Alonso has hung onto his seat for this long, there’s no reason why he can’t continue for a few more years.

Jacques Villeneuve tells Fernando Alonso how he can win an F1 championship with Aston Martin

Asked if Newey can make a difference at Aston Martin, Villeneuve said: “From my experience, Adrian Newey has always made cars that are very precise to drive.

“They’ve always had a narrow window of preparation, but they had super performance sun if you could take advantage of that window. It’s not a car for everybody.

“He makes cars for exceptional drivers and the exceptional drivers will make a big difference in those cars; the regular driver will suffer.

“Next year’s car will not be an Adrian Newey car.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

“The key for Fernando [Alonso] now is to survive long enough to get a winning car. You don’t do that by beating Stroll at a second a lap.

“Part of Fernando’s job there is to help Lance improve, to help the team get to that point, not for Fernando to be champion, but for Aston Martin to be champion. That’s why Newey is joining the team.”

Ralf Schumacher questions Fernando Alonso’s commitment to Formula 1

Villeneuve and Ralf Schumacher were never teammates in Formula 1 but shared a track on plenty of occasions, while also both driving for Williams.

They appear to have very different views on whether Alonso can still compete at the very top level.

While Villeneuve thinks he needs to stick with Aston Martin for as long as he can, Schumacher believes Alonso may have already lost interest in F1.

It would hardly be surprising given he knows he’s only competing for the final positions in the top ten at most races these days, but Alonso will recognise the potential in the team once Newey arrives next year.

Newey described Alonso as his nemesis during his Aston Martin unveiling, but the combination of two legends of the sport working together could work wonders for the team.