Stroll praises Aston Martin AMR26 upgrade as Newey confident Alonso will stay

Lance Stroll has delivered a positive verdict on Aston Martin's upgraded AMR26 after its Hungarian Grand Prix debut, while Adrian Newey expressed strong confidence that Fernando Alonso will remain with the team beyond the summer break. Elsewhere, Valtteri Bottas revealed a dramatic brake failure at Cadillac, Alpine drew a staggering $3.5 billion valuation, and Haas faces renewed financial uncertainty amid the 2026 season.

Why it matters:

Aston Martin's push to escape the midfield hinges on the AMR26 development path under Newey's guidance, and retaining Alonso would secure vital experience alongside Stroll. Meanwhile, Alpine's massive valuation and Haas's financial struggles highlight the growing economic pressures that continue to reshape the competitive landscape of Formula 1.

The details:

• Stroll's verdict: The Canadian reported a breakthrough with the upgraded AMR26 in Hungary, indicating the team has found a meaningful performance step.
• Alonso update: Newey is "pretty confident" the two-time champion will choose to stay at Aston Martin following the summer break.
• Bottas incident: The Finn confirmed he deliberately hit the wall after brake lines burned through on his Cadillac, leaving him without stopping power.
• Alpine valuation: Briatore disclosed that a bid for Otro Capital's 24% stake values the Enstone outfit at $3.5 billion, with Horner among the interested parties.
• Haas outlook: Financial constraints continue to threaten the American team's competitiveness during the 2026 regulation cycle.

What's next:

Aston Martin will use the summer break to process its upgrade data and finalize Alonso's future before the season resumes. At the same time, Alpine's blockbuster valuation and Haas's precarious position prove that Formula 1's off-track battles are becoming just as consequential as those on the circuit.