Adrian Newey Banks on Aston Martin Upgrade to Keep Fernando Alonso

Adrian Newey believes Aston Martin's major upgrade package at the Hungarian Grand Prix will be a key factor in keeping Fernando Alonso committed beyond the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Alonso's future with Aston Martin remains unresolved, with his contract expiring at the end of 2026. The uncertainty comes during a difficult campaign for the team, which has scored just one point through Alonso's 10th-place finish, while Lance Stroll remains without points and sits 22nd in the drivers' standings.

Aston Martin opted against introducing incremental updates to the AMR26, instead committing its resources to one substantial overhaul. That approach has left Alonso and Stroll enduring a difficult first half of the season with a car consistently short of pace and more often fighting near the rear than in the midfield.

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“Both drivers have shown frustration, and at times that has spilled into the media,” Newey told AstonMartinF1.com.

“But it's also understandable. They're competitive animals. They want to fight at the front. I've had a lot of conversations with both of them about where we are, where we're going.”

Newey stressed that the Hungary upgrade carries strategic importance, not only for short-term performance but also as evidence of Aston Martin's development direction. With Alonso's experience, technical feel and ability to guide car development, the Spaniard is regarded as a major asset in the team's recovery process.

“It's very important. Fernando is really looking forward to the upgrade and, if it performs we hope he'll be in the cockpit for another season,” Newey said.

“Given his experience, his feel for the car, his ability to guide development, he's a tremendous asset. But he wants to see clear, tangible progress. If we can show that we're moving decisively in the right direction, he's absolutely committed to being behind the wheel.”

The Hungary package now stands as a crucial benchmark for Aston Martin to prove the AMR26 project still has a competitive direction before Alonso makes a decision on his future beyond the 2026 season.