Newey: Hungarian GP upgrade crucial to keeping Alonso at Aston Martin

Adrian Newey says keeping Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin beyond 2026 hinges on a major upgrade arriving at the Hungarian Grand Prix. With Alonso's contract expiring at year's end and Alpine reportedly interested, the Spaniard's patience is wearing thin after a dismal start to the season.

Why it matters:

Alonso brings more than pace to Aston Martin. His technical feedback is vital as Newey rebuilds the team into a front-runner. Losing him now, especially to a reunion with former mentor Flavio Briatore at Alpine, would cost the squad invaluable experience when stability matters most.

The details:

• Aston Martin has scored just one point in 2026 from Alonso's 10th-place finish, leaving them anchored near the rear of the constructors' standings.
• Lance Stroll remains scoreless with a best of 15th, confirming the AMR26 lacks pace to even join the midfield scrap.
• The team sacrificed incremental updates to pool resources into one large overhaul, forcing both drivers to endure a painful first half of the year.
• Newey acknowledged their frustration, noting that "competitive animals" want to fight at the front, not circulate at the back.
• The Hungarian Grand Prix will host the long-awaited package, which Newey hopes will provide the "clear, tangible progress" Alonso needs to see.

What's next:

The Budapest upgrade is a litmus test for Alonso's future in green. If it unlocks meaningful lap time, he is expected to commit to another season. Should it fail to impress, however, Alpine's rumored advances could prove too tempting for the two-time champion to refuse.