Fernando Alonso found himself in contention for Pole Position in Hungary, with a sub-optimal final sector costing him a crucial tenth in the battle for first.<\/p>\n
Still, especially in the context of his back injury, Alonso is pleased with the AMR25’s performance this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard aims to consolidate today’s result tomorrow – whilst also outlining why the team’s qualifying pace is a positive sign for Aston Martin’s 2026 aspirations<\/a>.<\/p>\n It was over two decades ago that Fernando Alonso claimed his maiden F1 victory in Hungary in a commanding display for Renault<\/a>.<\/p>\n Having turned 44 years old this week, it is needless to say the Spaniard is in the final chapter of his career.<\/p>\n Aston Martin will be his final project in Formula 1 – which is why the team’s poor development since mid-2023 has been so frustrating.<\/p>\n With a combination of misfortune and the AMR25’s limitations hampering Alonso at the start of the year, this year was beginning to look like a write-off.<\/p>\n Aston’s poor showing in Belgium, which came after a streak of four consecutive points finishes, compounded this sentiment.<\/p>\n However, Alonso and Stroll<\/a> have been very competitive throughout this weekend. Only the finest of margins denied them Pole Position, something that nobody would have predicted after qualifying 19th and 20th in Spa.<\/p>\n Reflecting on today’s result, the Double World Champion explained how updates made a difference:<\/p>\n “The front wing, which is maybe the first race that we\u2019ve properly used it, is giving us that extra load in the corners.<\/em><\/p>\n “And in Hungary, obviously it\u2019s very important.<\/em><\/p>\n “I think we are trying to understand also the tools we have in the factory, wind tunnel, CFD, all the new people that joined the team.”<\/em><\/p>\n Alonso correctly assesses that Aston Martin<\/a> are in a critical transitional period, as they work to piece the necessary pieces of the puzzle to become a top team.<\/p>\n The team’s upgrade success this year, particularly in comparison to 2023 and 2024, serves as encouragement about the changes behind the scenes.<\/p>\nAlonso leads season-best qualifying for Aston Martin<\/h2>\n
Building momentum heading into 2026<\/h4>\n