Alonso positive after Aston Martin’s upgraded car debut in Hungary
Fernando Alonso has expressed a positive outlook following Aston Martin’s debut with an upgraded AMR26 at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Spanish driver hopes the team can achieve a “new start of the championship” in the latter half of the season, building on a more competitive performance in Hungary.
The update package for the AMR26 showed promise during the initial days of action at the Hungaroring, with Alonso reaching Q3 in Qualifying for the first time this season. This improved performance continued into the race, where Lance Stroll finished in P13, marking his best result of the season, ahead of Alonso in P14.
Alonso noted that it was beneficial to experience competitiveness again, particularly in the early stages of the race. He felt the car had the pace to contend with the midfield, establishing a solid foundation for further development of the new car.
Midfield Competitiveness and Future Upgrades
Lance Stroll also found encouragement in the car’s performance. He stated that the team was competing within the midfield for the first time this year, indicating a significant step forward. Stroll emphasised the need to maintain this momentum and continue pushing for improvements.
The season is now entering its summer break, but Aston Martin has further developments planned. These include additional chassis updates and an upgraded power unit expected at the Dutch Grand Prix in August. Alonso highlighted the importance of the engine upgrade for Zandvoort, aiming for increased straight-line speed to enhance their competitiveness.
Rival teams have taken notice of Aston Martin’s significant upgrade. Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas admitted concern, having heard rumors of a substantial performance improvement from Aston Martin’s Hungaroring upgrade. After qualifying 21st, he suggested the rumored gain was not far from reality.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz, whose team was half a second slower than Alonso’s Aston Martin, expressed surprise at the margin. He hopes Williams will use Aston Martin’s progress as motivation for their own upcoming major upgrade at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September.
Unlocking Further Potential
Alex Albon of Williams described Aston Martin’s step forward as “eye-opening,” believing his team would not be able to replicate such a gain with their own planned upgrade. He noted that while Williams might compete with Aston Martin on straight-line speed in some races, Aston Martin is considerably faster in corners.
Alonso was pleased that the upgrade met the team’s expectations without any unforeseen issues. He believes there is still more potential to unlock from the car, acknowledging that it is still early days with such a significant package. He also mentioned that the car felt “a little bit more forgiving” and consistent.
The upgrade has changed the team’s momentum, with a clear understanding of their objectives for future packages and the next year. Aston Martin plans another chassis upgrade for the first race after the summer break at Zandvoort, coinciding with Honda’s sole engine upgrade. A further chassis upgrade is scheduled for Baku a month later.
Despite the positive advancements, Lance Stroll noted that the team is still lacking in engine power, despite improved grip levels. He emphasized the need for more power. Ollie Bearman of Haas suggested that the Hungaroring, with its shorter straights, might particularly suit Aston Martin, serving as a reminder for other teams to improve their performance.
Esteban Ocon described Aston Martin’s upgrade as “quite impressive” and acknowledged them as a threat. Bottas also commented that the Hungaroring is likely one of Aston Martin’s stronger tracks, suggesting potential challenges on circuits with longer straights.
Looking Ahead
The success of Aston Martin’s second chassis upgrade and Honda’s engine upgrade will be crucial for sustained performance. The upgrade has undoubtedly impressed many in the midfield.
Alonso’s performance in qualifying, reaching Q3 for the first time this campaign, underscored the immediate impact of the new package.
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Source: formula1.com
