What’s gone into Aston Martin’s Hungary upgrade package

Aston Martin is set to introduce a major chassis upgrade package at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking a pivotal moment after a challenging start to the 2026 F1 season. The team, hampered by a late start in development and outdated internal processes, has struggled significantly with both car performance and reliability, leaving drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll at the back of the field. Adrian Newey, Aston Martin's design guru, explained that the team was forced to operate at a deficit, but he remains optimistic that the comprehensive revisions to aerodynamics and weight reduction will allow the team to return to competitive racing. Beyond the chassis updates, the partnership with Honda is also evolving. While a new engine package is scheduled for the Dutch Grand Prix, both Aston Martin and Honda emphasize that the initial struggles have actually strengthened their technical collaboration. Team leadership, including Mike Krack, notes that the team has undergone a necessary overhaul of their working culture to overcome these early hurdles. Reserve driver Jak Crawford, who has been instrumental in simulator testing, shares the sentiment that these updates are a vital step toward restoring the team's competitiveness for the remainder of the season and beyond.