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Aston Martin Breathes Relief in Hungary: Alonso Reaches Q2 with Upgrades
Fernando Alonso managed to reach Q2 in Hungary for the first time this season, a welcome resurgence for Aston Martin as it views its recently introduced upgrades positively.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-07-25T16:08:34.000Z - 2 min read
Fernando Alonso gave Aston Martin a welcome boost during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Spaniard managed to qualify for Q2 for the first time this Formula 1 season, ultimately securing sixteenth position on the grid. This result marks a significant turning point for the Silverstone-based team, which had occupied the back rows of the grid for five consecutive qualifying sessions.
Relief within the team was palpable after the prolonged period of poor performance. Alonso spoke of an 'important boost' for the team, which appears to break the negative spiral of recent races. Although the gap to the top remained around two seconds, the step forward felt like a much-needed morale booster.
This improvement coincided with the introduction of an extensive upgrade package for the AMR26 at the Hungaroring. Many insiders and commentators eagerly anticipated the impact of these updates on the car's performance. The team had clearly pinned its hopes on these updates to reverse the downward trend.
The two-time world champion was satisfied with the changes after his initial laps in the upgraded car. His initial assessment of the new components was positive, which is crucial for confidence in the chosen development direction. It appears that the implemented modifications are partially fulfilling expectations.
Aston Martin harbors ambitious goals for the upcoming period. The team aims to re-establish itself at the front of the midfield, as Alonso hinted. A consistent presence in Q2 and points finishes represent the next logical steps toward that position.
Not everything ran smoothly for the British outfit in Hungary. Teammate Lance Stroll experienced a challenging start to the weekend. A suspension issue in the first free practice session kept him sidelined for an extended period and forced him to miss the entire second session as repairs could not be completed in time.
Nevertheless, a sense of cautious optimism prevails at Aston Martin. The ability to finally reach Q2 again, even with a substantial time deficit, indicates that potential exists. This qualifying session could serve as an important indicator for a stronger second half of the season, provided the upgrades can be optimized further.