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Aston Martin staff saw the ‘fire’ in Fernando Alonso’s eyes for the first time in 2026 as the team introduced the B-spec AMR26 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Silverstone outfit introduced their first batch of upgrades in 2026 in Budapest. A total of 16 updates were made by Adrian Newey, which were hoped to gain Aston Martin two seconds of performance.
Things got off to a shaky start at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as Alonso complained about vibration issues, which have plagued the team all year, and Lance Stroll suffered a suspension failure in FP1. But on Saturday and Sunday, the improvements were clear to see.
What can Aston Martin achieve in the second half of the season after their successful upgrade?
Aston Martin saw Fernando Alonso had the ‘fire’ in his eyes again in Hungary
Alonso has been despondent about Aston Martin’s struggles in 2026. The team’s vibration problems and Honda’s underpowered engine have left him glued to the back of the grid.
Alonso is considering retirement at the end of the season, with his contract expiring in 2026. However, the Hungarian GP gave Aston Martin renewed hope that they can retain his services.
The Spaniard broke into Q2 for the first time this season and went on to finish the race in 14th behind teammate Stroll in 13th. They were still a lap down and far away from scoring points, but they showed they no longer had the slowest car, proving faster than Williams, Haas and Alpine.
READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2
Journalist Tom Clarkson noted how Aston Martin mechanics could see the ‘fire’ in Alonso’s eyes after they wheeled out their upgrades in Budapest. They have not seen it all season, giving the team and the 45-year-old hope for the second half of 2026.
Clarkson said via F1 Nation: “There was so much chat about Aston Martin’s upgrade coming here to Hungary. 16 different changes was certainly what we could see on the outside, but I’m sure there was a whole load more under the skin of that car as well.
“Huge relief. The mechanics said that they could look into Fernando’s eyes and see the fire burning again, which they hadn’t seen all season.
Was Fernando Alonso’s 2021 comeback worthwhile, or has it ultimately been a waste of time?
“We’ve got the PU being upgraded at the next race in Zandvoort. Adrian then said there’s more coming on the car itself, was it for Monza and again for Baku?
“So yeah, do you know, one of the people in the team told me that if you’d asked Fernando after Spa if he was going to continue in Formula 1 next year, he would have said, ‘Absolutely not!’
“After this race now, as I said, there’s that fire in his eyes again. He’s got something to fight for and he’s got his mojo back.”
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