Alonso Praises Aston Martin Progress After Hungary as Team Prepares for Newey-Led 2026 F1 Revolution
Fernando Alonso is set to begin the Hungarian Grand Prix from the third row of the grid, joined by teammate Lance Stroll in what marks Aston Martin’s strongest qualifying performance of the 2025 Formula 1 season so far.
The impressive result came as the Silverstone-based team introduced a significant upgrade to the front wing of the AMR25. Both Alonso and Stroll appeared to immediately benefit from the improved aerodynamic performance, particularly at a circuit like the Hungaroring, where front-end grip plays a crucial role in lap time.
Pedro de la Rosa, a long-time figure within the team and a trusted voice on technical matters, pointed out that one of Adrian Newey’s defining traits as a designer is his ability to convert driver feedback into practical and effective technical solutions. According to de la Rosa, this quality has already started to show its value within the Aston Martin garage since Newey joined the team in early March.
Alonso also gave a subtle nod to the bigger picture behind the scenes, suggesting that Newey is already working on a transformative project for 2026, when Formula 1 will introduce a radically new set of technical regulations. The two-time world champion hinted that something significant is in the works at Aston Martin’s factory, laying the groundwork for a major leap forward under Newey’s leadership.
Alonso described the latest front wing upgrade as a promising step, particularly in the context of the sweeping changes expected for 2026. He highlighted that Aston Martin has now delivered three consecutive upgrade packages—the Imola updates, the new floor in Silverstone, and now the front wing in Budapest—all of which performed exactly as expected. For Alonso, this consistency in development represents a strong indication that the team is on the right trajectory with its processes, tools, and personnel.
The veteran driver credited the entire Aston Martin operation, both at the track and at the Silverstone headquarters, for enabling the team’s recent gains in performance. He explained that the front wing introduced in Hungary has finally allowed them to properly extract additional aerodynamic load in the corners—a crucial asset at a circuit as technically demanding as the Hungaroring.
Alonso also emphasized how the team continues to gain familiarity with its in-house development tools, including the wind tunnel and CFD systems, which are being enhanced by the influx of new engineering talent. His remarks suggested growing confidence in the infrastructure being built to support the 2026 project, which is expected to be the first fully conceptualized Aston Martin car developed under Adrian Newey’s direct influence.
Despite his strong qualifying performance, Alonso was not at 100% physically. The Spaniard was battling a muscular issue in his back throughout the weekend, which caused him to sit out the first free practice session on Friday. Aston Martin turned to reserve driver Felipe Drugovich to step in during FP1, while Alonso recovered in time to rejoin the car for FP2.
After qualifying, Alonso reportedly joked that while his back was still causing discomfort, the AMR25 was in better shape than he was, and he would give his all in the race regardless of the physical strain. His resilience and experience—honed over 22 years in Formula 1—remain among Aston Martin’s greatest assets as the team navigates its path toward becoming a consistent frontrunner.
With 44-year-old Alonso standing as the most experienced driver on the current grid, his presence alongside a design icon like Newey could prove to be a game-changer. Former F1 driver and pundit Jolyon Palmer speculated that once Alonso is finally given a car designed entirely under Newey’s vision, the resulting leap in performance could be immense. It is the first time in their long respective careers that Alonso and Newey are working together, and many in the paddock are eager to see what the partnership will yield.
As Aston Martin looks ahead to a new era, the performance in Hungary is seen as a positive sign—not only of short-term gains, but of the team’s growing potential under the guidance of two of Formula 1’s most experienced figures.
Leave a Reply