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via Crash“We’re in the mix now” - Fernando Alonso’s bullish Aston Martin F1 claimFernando Alonso has expressed optimism about Aston Martin's performance following a substantial upgrade to their car, which included 16 new components. This upgrade allowed Alonso to reach Q2 for the first time this season and finish 14th in the Hungarian Grand Prix, while teammate Lance Stroll achieved his best finish in 13th place. Both drivers acknowledged the need for improved engine performance from Honda to enhance their competitiveness in the second half of the season.
The upgraded Honda power unit is set to make its debut at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, with a testing session scheduled beforehand. Team owner Lawrence Stroll conveyed satisfaction with the recent developments, highlighting the team's progress and the potential for further improvements. Alonso's comments reflect a renewed sense of competitiveness for Aston Martin in the midfield battle of Formula 1.
Tue 28 Jul · 14:35 UTC
via grandprix.comRumours Williams offer Sainz 30m euros amid Piastri furyCarlos Sainz is reportedly being offered a lucrative contract by Williams worth 30 million euros annually, despite facing backlash for a collision with Oscar Piastri during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Sainz has delayed his decision regarding his future, citing the need for a calm assessment during the summer break, while also claiming he did not see Piastri due to inadequate blue-flag warnings, a statement contradicted by video evidence of his car passing blue panels. Williams confirmed a malfunction in the warning system on Sainz's steering wheel, which added to the controversy surrounding the incident.
Piastri expressed his frustration with Sainz's actions, labeling them as unacceptable, while Sainz refused to take responsibility or apologize, suggesting that Piastri should have been more cautious. Williams team principal James Vowles defended Sainz, admitting the team could have better communicated with him during the race. Despite the ongoing issues, Vowles is committed to retaining both Sainz and Alex Albon for the future, acknowledging the team's need to improve their performance and support their drivers in achieving better results.
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 grandprix.comSainz to calmly decide future during summer breakCarlos Sainz is taking the summer break to evaluate his future in Formula 1, particularly in light of Williams' disappointing performance this season. After a challenging race in Hungary, where he qualified P18 and had an incident with Oscar Piastri, Sainz criticized the team's overall performance and acknowledged the need for significant improvements to the car's downforce.
Despite the struggles of the Williams team, Sainz feels he has adapted well to the new regulations and is performing at a high level personally. With his contract situation still uncertain, he plans to calmly assess his options during the break, while remaining cautious about the impact of the team's upcoming upgrades.
via AutosportWhat McLaren thought of Piastri's explosive F1 Hungarian GP radio outburstDuring the Hungarian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri expressed frustration over a radio outburst after a collision with backmarker Carlos Sainz, which affected his race strategy. McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella defended the team's decision to pit Piastri, emphasizing that it was necessary to counter Lewis Hamilton's threat and that Piastri had earned his lead fairly by overtaking Norris at the start.
After the race, Piastri acknowledged his emotional response and accepted the team's strategy, despite his disappointment. He ultimately retired from the race due to a gearbox failure, while Stella noted that both drivers had shown impressive pace, and the team had considered various strategies to maximize their points.
Sun 26 Jul · 18:49 UTC
via BBC SportComplete weekend for Norris but poor result for Sainz - driver ratingsLando Norris achieved a significant milestone by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking both his and McLaren's first victory of the 2026 season. Despite a challenging start where he lost the lead to teammate Oscar Piastri, Norris regained control and maintained his position after Piastri's retirement due to a gearbox failure. Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli completed the podium, showcasing their resilience amid various challenges during the race.
The race also featured notable performances and setbacks for several drivers. Lewis Hamilton faced penalties that hindered his chances for a podium finish, while Carlos Sainz struggled with his Williams, culminating in a collision that resulted in a penalty. Overall, the event highlighted the competitive nature of the season, with driver ratings reflecting both exceptional and disappointing performances across the grid.
Sun 26 Jul · 17:16 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 AutosportSchumacher criticises Sainz's penalty after Piastri clashCarlos Sainz was penalized with a five-second time penalty for his collision with Oscar Piastri during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The stewards explained their decision to impose a lenient penalty despite the incident occurring while Sainz was being lapped.+ 1 moreSun 26 Jul · 16:04 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 AutosportF1 Hungarian GP: Hamilton leads Ferrari 1-2 in FP2, Colapinto crashes for AlpineIn the second practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton led the field, finishing ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Hamilton's fastest lap was 1m18.729s, while Leclerc followed closely with a time of 1m18.877s. Lando Norris from McLaren took third place, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing rounded out the top four.
The session was marked by challenging track conditions, with drivers struggling to find balance due to cooler temperatures and wind. Colapinto's crash brought out a red flag, interrupting the session. Other notable performances included George Russell in fifth and Liam Lawson in seventh, while Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso faced difficulties, finishing 19th.Fri 24 Jul · 16:14 UTC
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 AutosportAlonso praises Aston Martin's AMR26 upgradesAston 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.comAlonso praises Aston Martin's upgrades after Hungarian GPFernando 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 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.comSainz insists Williams has failed with 2026 carCarlos Sainz has expressed strong criticism of Williams' performance in the 2026 Formula 1 season, declaring that the team has failed with its current car. He highlighted the lack of significant upgrades compared to competitors, noting that even the anticipated 'B' car is unlikely to change their fortunes. Sainz emphasized the need for the team to learn from this year's challenges to design a more competitive car for the future.
Despite the struggles, team principal James Vowles remains optimistic about the potential impact of upcoming aerodynamic rule changes for the 2027 season. He believes these changes could provide Williams with a better chance to improve their performance and competitiveness in the sport, aligning with the planned engine changes as well.
via grandprix.comSainz confirms intention to stay with Williams until 2027Carlos Sainz has expressed his intention to stay with Williams through 2027, despite ongoing rumors connecting him to Audi. He emphasized that Williams is his preferred long-term project.
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.Page 21 of 21
