Aston Martin is preparing a comprehensive performance package for the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking the team’s first major seasonal upgrade. Currently sitting 10th in the constructors’ championship with only a single point from Monaco, the team has struggled significantly alongside engine partner Honda. Adrian Newey, serving as team principal, explained that the delay in improvements was a strategic choice to ensure a more impactful single step rather than fragmented updates.
The upcoming changes focus heavily on aerodynamic revisions and substantial weight reduction, aiming to bring the vehicle closer to the official weight limit. Newey noted that the car features a new nose and updated surfaces, although the front suspension remains untouched. He acknowledged that the team’s difficult start was due to a compressed design schedule following his arrival last year and internal organizational inefficiencies. Addressing his own health, the 67-year-old confirmed he is recovering after a challenging period last year where he had to balance work with personal well-being.
Success with this upgrade is considered vital for retaining veteran driver Fernando Alonso, whose contract expires at the end of the year. While Alonso has expressed commitment to the team, he requires evidence of tangible progress. Newey emphasized that while they expect a large step forward, he is cautious about predicting specific results because the team’s simulation and physics tools are still undergoing necessary refinement and correlation.
