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Aston Martin Under Pressure: Hungarian Upgrade Must Convince Alonso
Facing a major upgrade, Aston Martin hopes to boost performance and convince two-time champion Fernando Alonso to extend his stay, though he denies his decision hinges on it.
By Nadia van Leeuwen - 2026-07-02T15:24:19.000Z - 2 min read
Aston Martin is enduring an extremely difficult Formula 1 season, having scored just a single point after the first eight races. The team currently trails the leaders by more than three seconds on average. Consequently, all eyes are on a substantial upgrade being readied for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Top executive Adrian Newey, who joined the team in March last year, acknowledges that the causes are manifold. He attributes the poor performance to a rushed design process and a heavily overweight car. Newey also revealed that internal organizational processes were not functioning properly and that he himself struggled with health issues, preventing him from operating at his best at times.
Pressure on the upcoming update is high, particularly as Newey hopes it will prove decisive in convincing Fernando Alonso to extend his contract. The 45-year-old Spaniard, whose current deal expires after this season, denies that his decision hinges on performance in Hungary. Although he feels committed to Aston Martin by his own account, Alonso has yet to decide on prolonging his Formula 1 career.
Newey, recently appointed team principal, indicated that the organization underinvested in advanced simulation tools. In the past, this led to planned track upgrades falling short of expectations. The upcoming update will be the first tested under his supervision and with refined processes, though he warns that the real fruits of these investments will only become visible later in the year. Furthermore, the Honda engine remains a weak link; a power unit update is also expected this summer.
Newey's appointment as team principal—a formal FIA requirement—means he holds ultimate responsibility for strategic direction alongside owner Lawrence Stroll. His predecessor, Andy Cowell, transitioned to a strategy role emphasizing the Honda partnership, but his departure from the team is expected later this season.