Fernando Alonso has called on Aston Martin to continue its development efforts after the introduction of its highly anticipated upgrade package at the Hungarian Grand Prix: the beginning of a revival?
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In recent weeks, Aston Martin has significantly fallen back in the hierarchy, with a gap of about one second per lap in qualifying.
While the initial vibration problems related to the power unit seem to have been resolved, retirements remain frequent.
One point, that’s all
The point scored by Alonso in Monaco, under rather favorable circumstances, nevertheless allowed the team to leave the last place in the constructors’ championship. The upgrades expected in Hungary should allow Aston Martin to get closer to the midfield and fight more regularly for points. But Alonso aims for much higher long-term goals.
“I think the fans want to see us win races and fight for the championship,” said Alonso. “This year, whatever upgrades are brought and the progress we can make, it will never be enough. We will always be missing an additional package. So fans must understand that we are working day and night to improve the car. “
“We will improve, he assures. We will win races. Not this year, so this is only the first step of our plan. It cannot be the last.”
Correcting the course
For Alonso, the main objective of the Hungarian Grand Prix will be to verify that Aston Martin has correctly identified the weaknesses of its car and that it is capable of providing effective solutions: “For me, it is important to see in Hungary that we understand the weaknesses of the car and that we are correcting them, especially thanks to the aerodynamic package that will arrive. “
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“This year, we are facing very specific difficulties at the wheel, emphasizes the Matador. If they are corrected in Hungary and we can exploit the car to the maximum, I think we will then have a very clear trajectory and good momentum for next year. For me, that is the most important thing. “
Aston Martin is the only team not to have introduced aerodynamic upgrades this season yet. The team chose to focus its resources on a single major package, a decision motivated in particular by budget cap constraints.
Aston Martin prioritized a single major upgrade
Alonso explained that the team had quickly understood that its car required in-depth work rather than a succession of small improvements: “We did not know if it would happen at the seventh race, the twelfth, or at the end of the year. But we knew what our starting situation was and that it was not good enough.”
“We were lacking aerodynamic downforce, power, performance at the gearbox level, experience, and many other things, he notes. So we had to study the situation, regroup, and establish a plan.”
The package expected in Hungary will thus represent a first real test of Aston Martin’s ability to turn the situation around. For Alonso, the challenge goes far beyond immediate results: it is above all about demonstrating that the team has understood its difficulties and now has a clear direction to prepare the next phase of its project.
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