## 1. Direct English translation of the original title
Fernando Alonso believes the Aston Martin AMR26B provides a solid foundation for the team’s recovery after an encouraging debut at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. The extensively revised car delivered positive results in terms of both data correlation and Aston Martin’s performance relative to its rivals, with further optimisation and a Honda power-unit update still to come.
The Budapest weekend was particularly important for Aston Martin because it marked the arrival of the long-awaited B-spec version of the AMR26. The team introduced 16 updated components, producing encouraging feedback both on track and when compared with its wind-tunnel predictions.
Fernando Alonso returned to Q2 in qualifying before finishing 14th in the Hungarian Grand Prix, one place behind team-mate Lance Stroll. The Spaniard also beat the lower-order teams that Aston Martin had barely been able to race in recent rounds, as well as Franco Colapinto’s Alpine.
It represented a promising weekend for Fernando Alonso and could also have a positive influence on his decision over whether to continue racing in 2027.
Fernando Alonso encouraged by Aston Martin AMR26B progress
Although 14th place did not deliver any championship points, the Budapest round produced encouraging signs of recovery for Fernando Alonso following the debut of the heavily revised Silverstone-built car. Aston Martin’s extensive AMR26 B-spec upgrade package allowed the two-time world champion to fight in the midfield again after both cars had fallen rapidly behind even the lower-order teams during recent weekends.
“It was a good step forward for us this weekend, both in qualifying and in the race. It represents a solid base to build on when we return from the summer break,” Fernando Alonso said with satisfaction.
“The car performed well in the race and we were able to fight with those around us, which was fantastic after some really difficult weekends.”
The positive impressions from the Hungaroring also confirmed that the correlation between Aston Martin’s wind-tunnel data and its on-track performance was working as expected, opening up a more encouraging outlook for the remainder of the championship.
“What we saw in Hungary was more or less what we expected. The correlation is good and performance has improved,” Fernando Alonso explained. “Clearly, it is still early because this car is new and is based on a different concept, but there is more to come in terms of set-up and optimisation.”
“We will continue pushing and see how things develop at Zandvoort.”
Aston Martin and Honda target further power-unit progress
Looking ahead to Formula 1’s return after the summer break, Fernando Alonso is already focused on the upcoming work involving the power unit supplied by Honda. The next opportunity to assess that progress will come during the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort.
“We are one team and we work together. We know our weaknesses and try to help each other,” Fernando Alonso said. “Honda made up for some of the car’s shortcomings at the beginning of the year and now, with this new chassis, we want to make the greatest possible contribution in terms of consistency and delivery.”
“They are working closely with Aston Martin’s software department. There is still a long way to go, and we hope this is only the first step in allowing both organisations to gain confidence in what they are doing.”
“Having their engine update as well will be an interesting test to understand where we are and what it will allow us to fight for,” the two-time world champion added, encouraging Honda’s engineers to continue pushing.
Fernando Alonso confirms Friday engine vibrations were resolved
Fernando Alonso also offered reassurance over the power-unit abnormalities that had caused concern during Friday practice in Budapest. Aston Martin replaced the engine with a fresher unit, resolving the vibrations before the final day of track action began.
“By Saturday morning, the vibrations had been completely resolved,” Fernando Alonso explained. “We replaced the power unit with a fresher one. It may simply have been an engine approaching the end of its usable life that caused us a few headaches towards the end, but everything went well for the rest of the weekend.”
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