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via grandprix.comHonda feels pressure after Aston chassis breakthroughAston Martin has made significant strides with its chassis, prompting Fernando Alonso to highlight the pressure on Honda to enhance their power unit. The team plans to test an upgraded engine that is expected to deliver an additional 50 horsepower during a filming day at the Hungaroring, with a race debut set for Zandvoort after the summer break. Alonso noted the importance of collaboration between Aston Martin and Honda to address previous weaknesses and improve performance.
Honda's lead engineer confirmed the pressure to keep pace with Aston Martin's advancements, while also addressing past issues with engine vibrations that were resolved during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Despite the optimism surrounding the chassis improvements, Aston Martin's chief rejected claims of having the best chassis in the midfield, indicating that performance will be clearer in upcoming races.
via theguardian.comOscar Piastri swore at his McLaren crew in frustration in Hungary, but any Formula One revival is up to himOscar Piastri faced a challenging Hungarian Grand Prix, where he expressed frustration towards his McLaren team after a pit stop strategy led to him losing his lead and ultimately retiring due to a gearbox failure. Despite appearing poised for a potential victory, everything went wrong for him during the race, highlighting the difficulties he has faced this season.
Currently sitting seventh in the driver standings, Piastri's performance has been overshadowed by teammate Lando Norris, who won the race. Piastri's struggles have raised questions about his future and ability to adapt to the new era of Formula One, especially as he has been consistently outperformed by Norris and other emerging drivers.
Mon 27 Jul · 02:53 UTC
via AutosportPiastri slams "unacceptable" Sainz blue-flag incident, accepts McLaren strategy in Hungarian GPOscar Piastri expressed his frustration over an incident with Carlos Sainz during the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Sainz ignored blue flags and collided with Piastri, costing him the lead. Piastri deemed Sainz's actions as 'unacceptable' and suggested he should reflect on his driving decisions, especially since Sainz was engaged in a battle for position with Fernando Alonso at the time.
Despite his anger towards Sainz, Piastri later acknowledged that McLaren's pit strategy was sound, as it was aimed at covering Lewis Hamilton's pit stop. However, he felt that the collision with Sainz was a significant setback, leading to his eventual retirement from the race due to a gearbox failure.
Sun 26 Jul · 16:31 UTC
via grandprix.comWilliams must copy Aston's big leap says SainzCarlos Sainz emphasized the need for Williams to replicate the significant advancements made by Aston Martin, particularly after their recent performance boost at the Hungaroring with a new 'B' car. He noted that while Williams has a lighter specification coming for the Baku race, it may not be enough to compete effectively this season, suggesting that the team should focus on next year's car for more substantial improvements.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso highlighted that their new chassis has resolved previous correlation issues, allowing for better performance and clarity on future enhancements. He acknowledged the need for increased engine power from Honda, which is expected to be tested soon. Overall, both Sainz and Alonso see potential for growth and improvement within their respective teams.
via grandprix.comRed Bull rescued Tsolov from Alonso-linked debtRed Bull has intervened to assist Nikola Tsolov, who was facing significant financial challenges due to a restrictive contract linked to Fernando Alonso's management. Dr. Helmut Marko's involvement was crucial in helping Tsolov escape this situation, allowing him to focus on his racing career without the burden of debt. Tsolov is currently leading the Formula 2 championship, having won six races, and is considered a strong candidate for promotion to Formula 1 with Red Bull.
Despite the pressures he faced, Tsolov has maintained impressive performance levels in Formula 2, showcasing his speed and consistency. Meanwhile, Alonso made headlines for a personal milestone, introducing his son Leonard to the Aston Martin team during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. The article highlights the contrasting narratives of Tsolov's rising career and Alonso's family moments in the paddock.
via grandprix.comAlonso dismisses 2-second Aston upgrade hypeFernando Alonso has expressed skepticism regarding the impact of Aston Martin's recent car upgrades, emphasizing that no single change can close the significant performance gap they face. The team received a new package at the Hungaroring, but Alonso believes that even with these updates, their performance at the previous Belgian GP would not have changed significantly. Trackside boss Mike Krack acknowledged the late arrival of the components and stated that further development is necessary for the team's future success.
Additionally, the upgraded Honda power unit is expected to make its debut at the upcoming Zandvoort race, with reserve driver Jak Crawford set to conduct initial testing. Honda's spokesman clarified that while there are improvements in the engine, rumors of a substantial horsepower increase are unfounded. Alonso, who has a contract with Aston Martin, indicated that he is focused on enjoying his racing experience and is not considering a move to another team for the 2027 season.
via AutosportAston Martin Evaluates Upgrades to AMR26 After Hungarian GPAston Martin has assessed the performance of its upgraded AMR26 car following the Hungarian Grand Prix. While the team expressed satisfaction with the improvements, Lance Stroll faced challenges due to a suspension failure.Fri 24 Jul · 15:16 UTC
via BBC SportAlonso optimistic about Aston Martin upgrade - will it decide his future?Fernando Alonso expressed optimism regarding a significant upgrade for Aston Martin at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which includes a new chassis and aerodynamic improvements. This upgrade marks the team's first major change of the season, as they have struggled with performance issues since the start of the year. Alonso noted that the team chose to implement all upgrades at once to maximize efficiency under the budget cap, despite falling behind competitors who opted for gradual improvements.
Alonso, who has only scored one point in the current championship, is weighing his future in Formula 1 as his contract with Aston Martin ends this season. He emphasized that his decision will not solely depend on the upgrade's success but also on whether he finds the current driving experience enjoyable. The Honda engine will remain unchanged for this race, with plans for a development engine at the next event.
Thu 23 Jul · 14:35 UTC
via grandprix.comAston Martin's Upgrades Show Promise at Hungarian Grand PrixFernando Alonso expressed optimism regarding the performance of Aston Martin's upgraded AMR26 during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team aims to build on this momentum despite challenges faced by teammate Lance Stroll.
via AutosportAlonso's Future in F1 Depends on Regulations, Not Team PerformanceFernando Alonso has stated that his decision regarding his future in Formula 1 will be influenced more by upcoming regulations than by Aston Martin's current performance. As he approaches his 45th birthday, he remains focused on the broader context of the sport rather than the team's recent struggles.Wed 22 Jul · 15:28 UTC
via AutosportF1 Drivers Express Concerns Over Computer-Controlled Power UnitsFormula 1 drivers have voiced their frustrations regarding the increasing reliance on computer algorithms for energy management in their cars. This shift has raised concerns about the impact on race dynamics and the overall excitement of the sport.Wed 22 Jul · 11:30 UTC
via grandprix.comAlonso says 2027 decision hinges on rules, not Aston slumpFernando Alonso has clarified that his future in Formula 1 is more dependent on regulatory changes than on Aston Martin's current performance, which has been disappointing. Despite a challenging start to the 2026 season, he believes the team's true potential has yet to be realized and is looking forward to upcoming updates to the car. The first significant chassis update is set to arrive in Hungary after 11 races with the same specifications, which Alonso hopes will mark a turning point for the team.
Alonso expressed that while expectations were high for the new regulations and the Honda engine, the results have not met those hopes. He emphasized the importance of understanding the car's setup with the new components introduced during the Belgian GP. Newey, who is leading the chassis updates, has indicated that Aston Martin must demonstrate progress to keep Alonso interested in continuing beyond 2027.
via grandprix.comAlonso fears F2 could rival F1 at SpaFernando Alonso has raised alarms about the potential impact of the 2026 regulations on Formula 1, particularly at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. He emphasized that energy management challenges could hinder performance, leaving drivers without power for significant portions of the lap. Meanwhile, Ferrari is set to debut a new rear wing design that could enhance their speed, while the FIA is investigating this innovation due to recent failures experienced by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
In the context of the championship, Giancarlo Minardi noted that Ferrari's advancements have intensified the competition, while Red Bull's team expressed low expectations for upcoming races. Additionally, Ralf Schumacher pointed out that Ferrari's reliability may give them an edge over Mercedes, which has encountered difficulties in recent races. The dynamics of the championship are expected to evolve as teams adapt to the new regulations and technology.
via espn.comRussell: 'Performances need to be better'George Russell secured a second-place finish at the British Grand Prix, benefiting from a late safety car incident that altered the race's outcome. Despite this podium finish, he remains focused on improving his performance, as he is currently 25 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli and has faced challenges with pace and reliability throughout the season.
Russell expressed mixed feelings about his race, acknowledging his gratitude for the podium while also recognizing the need for better results to contend for the championship. His teammate Antonelli faced misfortune during the race, which allowed Russell to close the gap in the standings. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is optimistic that Russell can leverage this stroke of luck to enhance his performance moving forward.
Thu 9 Jul · 16:21 UTC
via espn.comAntonelli on mistakes: Too 'relaxed' or 'confident...Kimi Antonelli reflected on his performance during the Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished third after a challenging start. His early mistakes, attributed to excitement, cost him valuable time and allowed his championship lead to shrink to 40 points, with teammate George Russell taking the victory. Antonelli noted that he lost several seconds due to these errors and struggled with his brakes during the first stint on medium tires.
Despite the setbacks, Antonelli recognized the experience as a valuable learning opportunity. He emphasized the importance of minimizing mistakes moving forward and expressed confidence in his ability to rebound at the upcoming Silverstone race. Antonelli's strong start to the weekend was overshadowed by his qualifying performance, where he was outpaced by Russell, but he remains optimistic about his title defense.Thu 2 Jul · 15:39 UTC
via espn.comWolff on Hamilton: 'If he smells blood, he goes'Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, acknowledged Lewis Hamilton as a significant contender for the championship after Hamilton secured his first victory with Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. This win marked a pivotal moment in the season, as it was the first time a non-Mercedes driver triumphed, and it came at a time when championship leader Kimi Antonelli faced a setback due to a race retirement. Hamilton is now 41 points behind Antonelli, with 15 races left in the season, and holds a narrow lead over his former teammate George Russell.
Wolff expressed his respect for Hamilton's capabilities, noting that if Hamilton senses an opportunity, he will capitalize on it. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining performance and strategy throughout the remaining races. Wolff's comments reflect a deep understanding of Hamilton's competitive nature, as well as the dynamics within the team and Hamilton's personal life, which he believes may positively influence Hamilton's performance on the track.Mon 29 Jun · 09:36 UTCPage 9 of 9