This was no fluke; although they were never in contention for victory or even a podium, they did finish fifth and seventh in Hungary, again their best result since Sao Paulo 2023 (third and fifth).<\/p>\n
The feeling among the team might best be described as puzzled relief, as it couldn\u2019t explain how it achieved such a tour de force.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a surprise, definitely it is a surprise. It’s a nice surprise,\u201d Alonso pondered. “The good thing is that we were competitive and we were fast. The concerning thing is that we don’t know why.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need this week at the factory [before the mandatory summer shutdown] to analyse exactly what are the differences between Spa and Hungary, what are the differences on the car as well, on the set-up, on the aero devices that we were racing with.<\/p>\n
![\"Fernando](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754410634_559_fernando-alonso-aston-martin-r.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n
Photo by: Zak Mauger \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, the main theme for us was the front wing that was new this weekend. If that front wing gives us that much performance, that’s very good news, but I think that has to be understood at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new high-downforce front wing was expected to deliver performance on the twisty Hungaroring track, but arguably not that much. Another difference that came into play was the switch back to the former Imola-spec floor, though Alonso has lauded perfect correlation from the simulator for all upgrades, including the newer floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything that we brought to the track is delivering exactly what the wind tunnel was saying,\u201d he claimed. \u201cWhatever we want to fit in any weekend, we know what the car will deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n
So the main factor, as suggested by the Spanish veteran, may be track characteristics. Spa-Francorchamps mainly has long straights interspersed with all kinds of corners, including several high-speed curves, making it one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. The Hungaroring, meanwhile, is the second-slowest layout on the F1 calendar due to its series of medium-speed and slow corners.<\/p>\n
Morale is up, but performance must not slump back down<\/p>\n
The Hungarian GP result was positive in several ways, with those 16 points \u2013 compared to the 36 collected over the first 13 grands prix of the year \u2013 hauling Aston from eighth to sixth in the constructors\u2019 championship. Equally importantly, team morale was boosted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would not lie, I was worried, I was concerned for the second part of the year,\u201d Alonso admitted, opening up more than he used to about Aston Martin\u2019s struggles, as he previously refrained from delving into how serious the situation was for such an ambitious outfit \u2013 though his tone and demeanour never quite concealed his opinion.<\/p>\n
![\"Lance](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/lance-stroll-aston-martin-raci.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n
Photo by: Steven Tee \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were a little bit down in terms of motivation, everyone in the team, and these seven days, I think it changes 180 degrees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Motivation may have drastically improved, but Aston Martin team bosses are aware the team needs to avoid slumping back to Q1 level, even with the 2026 car being the priority ahead of F1\u2019s new technical era \u2013 meaning new recruit Adrian Newey refrains from working on the AMR25 at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cannot jump, normally, from the back of the midfield to the front of the midfield within seven days,\u201d chief trackside officer Mike Krack acknowledged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to be realistic. We had very difficult races before, not only Spa. It does not mean that we have managed a complete turnaround. I think it’s probably also a bit circumstantial. The fight in the midfield will continue, I’m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next stage in the midfield battle will be the Dutch GP at the end of the month, on the slightly faster but also narrow and twisty Zandvoort track, which will confirm or disprove the AMR25\u2019s appetency for such circuits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first test will be Zandvoort. Again, maximum downforce in Zandvoort,\u201d Alonso pointed out. \u201cWe performed well in the last few years there, so hopefully we have both cars in the points again.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two-time F1 champion finished second in the 2023 running of the race, but won\u2019t be expected to repeat such a result this time around.<\/p>\n
Additional reporting by Oleg Karpov and Filip Cleeren<\/p>\n
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