Fernando Alonso hints Aston Martin have already solved Adrian Newey’s big concern after Hungarian Grand Prix surprise

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Fernando Alonso will start the Hungarian Grand Prix from the third row of the grid, alongside Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll in the team’s best qualifying performance of the 2025 season.

Aston Martin brought a new upgrade to the AMR25’s front wing with them to Hungary, and it looks like the Spanish driver and Stroll are already feeling the benefits of the updated front-end.

Pedro de la Rosa noted Adrian Newey’s ability to translate driver feedback into ‘solutions’ as one of the designer’s key ‘characteristics’ that Aston Martin are reaping the rewards of since his addition to the team in early March.

Alonso also pre-empted Newey’s role in the team for 2026, stating that the design chief is cooking up ‘something big’ behind the scenes at the Silverstone-based team ahead of the new regulations.

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey

The upgrades Aston Martin have brought to the AMR25 are ‘encouraging’ for the new 2026 F1 regulations

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in the media pen following the conclusion of qualifying (15:24 02/08), Alonso gave credit to the Aston Martin team members for making it possible for him to put the car on the third row of the grid, and elaborated further on his high hopes for the new F1 regulations next year.

“I think this is down to the team and the effort that everyone is putting back in Silverstone and here on the race weekends. The front wing, which is maybe the first phase that we have properly used the front wing, is giving us the extra load in the corners, which in Hungary, obviously, is very important.

“I think we are also trying to understand the tools we have in the factory. The wind tunnel, CFD, all the new people that join the team.

“I think this is the third time, the Imola package and then the floor in Silverstone and then the front wing now, all three upgrades delivered exactly what we were expecting. So this is very encouraging for next year’s project.”

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Fernando Alonso was battling a muscular injury during his stunning qualifying lap

Alonso missed the first practice session of the weekend on Friday afternoon due to a muscular injury he was suffering from in his back. The two-time world champion returned to his AMR25 in FP2 after the team delegated his duties to reserve driver Felipe Drugovich.

Asked if his back was feeling better following the session, Alonso joked, “The car is better than my back, but I will do my best tomorrow.”

After spending 22 years behind the wheel of an F1 car, the 44-year-old is the most experienced driver on the grid, by a long way. The experience that he brings to Aston Martin alongside Newey is, no doubt, a contribution to where the AMR25 is today.

Jolyon Palmer has predicted an ‘immense’ change in Alonso’s F1 results once he gets behind the wheel of a car designed solely by Newey. It is the first time the two long-standing members of the F1 paddock have worked together in their careers.