Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso displayed impressive speeds during Aston Martin’s second free practice session in Hungary, offering Aston Martin an optimistic outlook. Although Alonso missed part one due to an injury requiring Drugovich’s replacement as pilot; upon return he quickly got up-to-speed.
Recent upgrades made to the team seem to be bearing fruit based on initial performance data.
Encouraging Signs for Aston Martin at the Hungaroring
After a disappointing Belgian Grand Prix, where Aston Martin failed to score any points, the team bounced back strong in Hungary. It was their first race since the Imola Grand Prix that they struggled for pace, marking a significant downturn from their season’s steady performance.
A crucial factor in their Spa setback was their decision to introduce new front and rear wing specifications, which did not align well with the high-speed characteristics of the Spa Francorchamps circuit.
Despite last weekend’s challenges, the team felt they made progress in understanding their new package. Lance Stroll expressed optimism about the car’s performance and balance, while emphasizing the difficulty of gauging their competitive standing on Friday.
Fernando Alonso also noted the AMR25’s promising balance, though he acknowledged the need for adjustments to maximize lap times.
Maximizing Potential with the Final Upgrade Package
The unpredictable nature of the midfield battles, influenced by circuit-specific characteristics, has made every point crucial. Teams from Williams in 5th to Alpine in 10th have shown they are contenders for points, with consistency being a defining factor for success.
Aston Martin had been on an upward trajectory, scoring points across Canada to Silverstone until their unexpectedly poor showing at Belgium. Now though, signs are emerging of recovery with Aston’s performance improving in Hungary thanks to updated software which could cement their standing for future races.
With many teams now turning their attention toward 2026 season preparations, any advancements made by Aston Martin this weekend could give it an advantage throughout. Additionally, they hope that any issues which have plagued their development over the last 18 months won’t negatively influence next season preparations.