Hungarian Grand Prix: Adrian Newey says new Aston Martin has shown 'promising results'
Aston Martin’s New Package Debuts in Hungary
Aston Martin introduced a significantly upgraded car at the Hungarian Grand Prix, aiming to improve its performance after a challenging start to the season. The team brought 16 new upgrades to Budapest, effectively presenting a largely new vehicle, with the exception of its engine, gearbox, and front suspension. This comprehensive overhaul was a departure from the team’s previous strategy of drip-feeding upgrades throughout the season.
Adrian Newey, the team boss, noted that the provisional results from the new package were “promising.” He indicated that this was only the first part of a planned upgrade, with further steps anticipated at Zandvoort, followed by additional developments in Monza and Baku. The tight and twisty Budapest circuit was considered a good testing ground for the car’s aerodynamics.
Despite the initial optimism, the debut session for the new car encountered a setback. Lance Stroll, one of Aston Martin‘s drivers, spun off the track after just 11 laps during the first practice session. The incident was attributed to a suspected rear suspension failure. This issue meant Stroll was unable to participate in the second practice session due to a lack of spare parts and insufficient time for repairs.
Newey acknowledged the team’s efforts to understand the cause of the failure, stating that the area involved in the suspension issue was not part of the recent upgrade. He also mentioned that the team was short on spares, which complicated the repair process. This shortage of parts could potentially limit Stroll’s participation in the remainder of the weekend’s events, affecting the mileage accumulated on the new upgrade before Saturday’s track running.
Alonso’s Performance and Future Outlook
In contrast to Stroll’s difficulties, teammate Fernando Alonso completed the first practice session, finishing 13th fastest. He was 2.475 seconds off the pace, which was described as a noticeable improvement compared to Aston Martin‘s earlier season expectations. Alonso later finished 19th fastest in the day’s overall practice, 2.990 seconds off the pace, though a lap nearly 0.4 seconds faster was disallowed due to track limits.
Alonso has been vocal about his future in Formula 1, suggesting it depends on whether the cars become more enjoyable to drive. He has expressed concerns about the lack of adrenaline he experiences, particularly in recent races where cars ran out of battery power on long straights. Despite these concerns, Alonso remains committed to Aston Martin, holding a contract for 2027.
The two-time F1 champion believes that Newey and engine partner Honda can eventually deliver a competitive car and engine combination. He stated that he has “zero doubts” that Adrian Newey will provide one of the best cars on the grid. Honda is scheduled to introduce a new engine at the Dutch Grand Prix, which follows the summer break.
Practice Session Highlights
The first day of practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton lead a Ferrari one-two, with teammate Charles Leclerc in second. Hamilton was 0.148 seconds ahead of Leclerc. McLaren‘s Lando Norris secured third place, 0.499 seconds behind, while Red Bull‘s Max Verstappen was fourth.
Other notable performances included George Russell of Mercedes in fifth, 0.933 seconds off the pace. Red Bull‘s Isack Hadjar was sixth, followed by Racing Bulls‘ Liam Lawson and McLaren‘s Oscar Piastri. Audi‘s Nico Hulkenberg and Racing Bulls‘ Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes finished 13th, facing challenges during the sessions. He did not complete a qualifying simulation lap in the second session, with one attempt abandoned due to Franco Colapinto‘s crash and another curtailed by an error. Antonelli also reported issues with rear brake locking throughout the session.
The Hungarian Grand Prix marks a significant moment for Aston Martin as they introduce their new car, with further upgrades planned for later in the season.
Source: bbc.com
