Aston Martin to Have Big Upgrade for Hungarian GP

New Delhi, India Jul 1, 2026 ALN: Adrian Newey says Aston Martin's first big performance upgrade of the season will be introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break.

Aston Martin and new engine partner Honda have been stuck at the back of the field this season. However, Newey decided that the most cost-effective approach was to delay any performance improvements until they could introduce one meaningful step.

Newey stated that the changes would focus on a significant weight reduction and major changes to aerodynamics. He explained in an interview on the team's website, "The front suspension is unchanged. The rear suspension is slightly revised. We've developed a new nose and substantially revised aerodynamic surfaces."

"So, while the core structure is similar, it's a big aerodynamic package coupled with significant weight reduction. The target is to get very close to the weight limit," he added.

The race in Hungary is scheduled for 24-26 July, with the British Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix taking place beforehand.

Organisational Changes and Illness

Newey mentioned that the team's difficult start to the season—characterized by a car lacking performance and being overweight—was due to a combination of late design work and inadequate organizational processes. "We've taken this difficult spell as an opportunity to overhaul how we work," he said.

He acknowledged that the chassis was significantly overweight, partly due to integrating the power unit and dealing with vibration issues with Honda. "When you design in a rush, weight is the first thing that suffers because you don't have the time to thoroughly optimize everything," he remarked.

Newey also admitted that he had been caught off guard by some aspects of his initial aerodynamic design. "Aerodynamically, we also took a bold direction—largely pushed by me—without the luxury of exploring multiple concepts in depth because time was against us," he noted.

Additionally, Newey revealed that he had been coping with a spell of illness. "I'm OK now, but it's been a difficult period," the 67-year-old said. "In truth, I was not 100% last year. I had to balance health and work much more carefully."

He praised the team's adaptability and support during this challenging time, stating, "The team handled it incredibly well. I kept a very good relationship with the engineers and I don't feel it caused too much of a blip. That's a testament to how adaptable and supportive everyone here is."

Upgrade 'Very Important' to Alonso

Newey emphasized that the success of the chassis upgrade could be crucial for lead driver Fernando Alonso's future with the team. The two-time champion, who turns 45 in July, is out of contract at the end of the season. While he has expressed commitment to Aston Martin, he has not decided whether to leave 1 for other racing opportunities.

Newey remarked, "Fernando is really looking forward to the upgrade, and if it performs, we hope he'll be in the cockpit for another season." He added that Alonso's experience and ability to guide development make him a tremendous asset to the team.

However, Newey refrained from providing an estimate for the performance step expected from the upgrade. Currently, Aston Martin is an average of 3.4 seconds off the pace, and even a two-second improvement would only elevate them to the midfield, still behind Alpine and Racing Bulls.

"We're predicting a large step," Newey said, "but I'm reluctant to put specific numbers out there because our simulation tools aren't yet as sophisticated or well correlated as they need to be." He acknowledged that historically, the team has not invested enough in engineering simulation tools, which has affected their performance.

This upgrade will be the first major test of Aston Martin's new tools and procedures, with Newey at the helm. A development to the Honda engine, which is currently the least powerful on the grid, is also expected this summer, although the company has not specified at which race it will be introduced.

'The Buck Stops with Me'

Newey took the opportunity to clarify the meaning of his title as team principal, which he adopted in November last year. He stated, "'Team principal' is, in part, a formal requirement—under FIA regulations, you have to nominate someone in that role. It's a job title, not a job description."

He explained that when it comes to key strategic decisions, "the buck stops with me." Since the reshuffle, Andy Cowell has been moved to a role as chief strategy officer, primarily working with engine partner Honda, which has also struggled for performance this season.

In summary, Aston Martin's upcoming upgrade is a pivotal moment for the team as they aim to improve their performance and retain key drivers like Alonso. With Newey's leadership and a focus on significant changes, the team hopes to turn their season around.