Newey Pins Hopes on Hungary Upgrade to Keep Alonso for 2027

Adrian Newey is counting on next month's Hungarian Grand Prix upgrade to prove Aston Martin is heading in the right direction and persuade Fernando Alonso to stay for 2027. The team has endured a nightmare 2026 campaign, with an overweight chassis and an uncompetitive Honda power unit leaving it at the back of the grid.

Why it matters:

At 44, Alonso is losing patience with a project trailing even newcomer Cadillac. His development feedback is vital to Newey's rebuild, but he wants clear proof of progress before signing on for another season. Keeping the two-time champion is essential for the team's credibility.

The details:

• The Hungary update focuses on a major aerodynamic revamp and significant weight reduction, targeting the minimum weight limit.
• The chassis and gearbox architecture are unchanged but lightened, requiring re-homologation and fresh crash testing.
• A new nose, revised aerodynamic surfaces, and a tweaked rear suspension headline the changes, while the front suspension carries over.
• Newey predicts a "large step" but refused to quote lap times, citing lingering correlation issues with the team's simulation tools.

What's next:

The Hungarian Grand Prix will prove decisive for Alonso's future. If the upgrade delivers tangible gains, he is expected to commit to 2027 and continue leading development. If not, Aston Martin may be forced to find a replacement just as Newey's wider changes begin to take hold.