Aston Martin introduces major upgrade package at Hungarian Grand Prix
Aston Martin has introduced a significant upgrade package for its AMR26 car at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team’s principal, Adrian Newey, stated that the immediate goal for the team is to achieve a “point of respectability” with these updates. The car, designed by Newey, and its Honda power unit have not met expectations during the 2026 season, leading to the team falling behind in the F1 field.
The upgrade package, which includes 16 reported updates according to the FIA’s pre-weekend submission document, was seen on track at the Hungaroring. During Free Practice 1, Fernando Alonso finished in 13th position, approximately 2.4 seconds off the leading pace. Newey, who joined Aston Martin in March, commented that it is still “very early days” for understanding the changes, but the “provisional results are promising.”
Details of the Upgrade Package
Newey explained that the updates represent an “aerodynamic evolution” rather than a complete overhaul, as the chassis, layout, and front suspension remain the same. He noted that the team had limited research time before the car’s launch in Barcelona in January, and the new package is a result of stepping back to understand and address issues. Further updates are planned for Zandvoort, Monza, and Baku, with the current package being the initial phase of a planned upgrade strategy.
The team has been cautious with the new parts due to a shortage, aiming to learn as much as possible from their performance. Alonso expressed optimism about the major upgrade but cautioned against high expectations. He highlighted that Budapest is a circuit where power is less critical, making it a suitable venue for evaluating the car’s new direction.
Aston Martin chose to introduce all new parts simultaneously, a departure from the usual strategy of phased smaller upgrades. This decision was made to optimize budget use within the sport’s spending cap. However, this approach has meant the team has progressively lost ground to competitors throughout the season. Circuits like Silverstone and Spa were particularly challenging due to the performance of their Honda engine.
Newey previously stated that the team made the decision to halt developments in the first half of the year to better organize and research for future improvements, acknowledging that this would widen the gap to the front of the field. The current upgrade package is the first step in this strategy, with a second stage anticipated for Zandvoort.
Driver Perspectives and Challenges
Alonso mentioned that the Honda engine itself is not part of this weekend’s upgrade, with a development engine expected at the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break. He is focused on understanding the car’s direction and whether the team is on a path to unlock performance. Alonso is not concentrating on specific numbers or positions for the weekend, noting the varying gaps to the midfield in recent races.
He also addressed his future in F1, stating that his decision to continue racing would not solely depend on the upgrade’s performance. Alonso, who will be 45 on July 29, is out of contract at the end of the season but reiterated his long-term commitment to Aston Martin. He expressed a need for “enjoyment” and “adrenaline” from racing, which he felt was lacking at high-speed circuits like Silverstone and Spa due to the energy management demands of current F1 engines.
During Free Practice 1, Lance Stroll experienced a stoppage between Turns 2 and 3, with the team suspecting a rear-left suspension issue. Newey confirmed that the area involved in the incident had not been changed as part of the new package, making the issue unexpected. The team is actively investigating the cause of the problem.
Newey emphasized that he is not a fan of setting specific goals, preferring to work through problems logically and foster team culture. He hopes the new package will help the team achieve a “point of respectability” and allow them to continue moving forward from there.
The Hungarian Grand Prix marks a crucial point for Aston Martin as they aim to improve their performance in the 2026 season.
Source: formula1.com
