Steps forward, but reliability is a concern
The FP1 session of the Hungarian GP was highly anticipated, especially to finally see the new AMR26 in ‘2.0’ version in action, with all the immense amount of updates signed by Adrian Newey. The outcome of this first outing was two-sided: there was embarrassment due to the breakage of the left rear suspension on Lance Stroll’s car – not exactly the image the green wall would have wanted to see at the debut of this ‘new’ single-seater – but on the other hand, Fernando Alonso’s good session must be acknowledged.
Read more Telemetry FP1 Budapest: Ferrari starts strong with Leclerc working on the limit of the rear
The Asturian driver, in fact, finished the session with the 13th best time, recorded on hard tires. In the standings, the two-time world champion placed between the Haas of former teammate Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, both on medium tires. A result that certainly would have been impossible to achieve with the un-updated version of his single-seater.
#Newey: “The updates look promising but it’s too early to tell. This is just the first part of the package, more things will arrive in Zandvoort, Monza and Baku”#F1 #AstonMartin #HungarianGP
— FormulaPassion.it (@FormulaPassion) July 24, 2026
Updates approved (for now) and more to come
Newey then spoke shortly after the end of the morning session in the press conference reserved for team principals. The English designer was a major protagonist and said some interesting things: first of all, he showed initial, partial satisfaction with what was seen on track. The introduced novelties were approved, albeit with reservations: “The updates look promising but it’s too early to tell,” he commented.
Read more Here’s the Aston Martin 2.0: all-new aerodynamics, even higher suspension
He then relaunched, announcing further novelties arriving in the first three races after the summer break, demonstrating how – despite all the difficulties – Aston Martin intends to continue pushing in the current season: “This is just the first part of the package, more things will arrive in Zandvoort, Monza and Baku,” Newey declared. It should be remembered that the updated version of the Honda power unit is also expected to arrive in the Netherlands.
Finally, Newey also spared a thought for Fernando Alonso, confirming what the Asturian himself suggested yesterday, namely his probable stay with the team for at least another season: “Alonso is an extraordinary driver. I think he will stay with us next year,” concluded the former Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull engineer.
