Après dix Grands Prix passés à fréquenter assidûment les dernières lignes de la grille, Aston Martin a enfin montré quelques signes de vie en Hongrie. Il n’en fallait pas davantage pour que Lawrence Stroll célèbre une « étape importante ». Une qualification en Q2, une 13e place et aucun point : à Silverstone, le seuil de l’enthousiasme a manifestement beaucoup baissé.
Aston Martin: Sixteen new models to discover the second part of the ranking
Aston Martin n’a pas fait dans la demi-mesure au Hungaroring. L’AMR26 est arrivée avec 16 modifications déclarées, touchant notamment l’aileron avant, le plancher, le diffuseur et la suspension arrière. Plus qu’une évolution, presque une nouvelle voiture ou, au minimum, une tentative assez coûteuse de faire oublier la précédente.
Adrian Newey had, moreover, set a cautiously ambitious objective: to bring back Aston Martin towards a certain " respectabilité »This choice of vocabulary already spoke volumes. There was no talk yet of podium finishes, victories, or competing with the best teams. Simply of becoming presentable again.
On Friday, the news Aston Martin immediately demonstrated that it knew how to put on a show: the left rear suspension of Lance stroll gave way in FP1, sending the Canadian into a spin and causing a red flag. A rather direct reminder that technological revolution and quality control don't always travel in the same truck.
Alonso in Q2: if not a trophy, bring out the confetti!
The truly historic moment of the weekend arrived on Saturday. Fernando Alonso managed to reach Q2 for the first time this season.
Yes, Q2.
The two-time world champion qualified 16th, while Lance stroll remained stuck in Q1 in 20th place. In a team that still claims to be building a project destined to win championships, getting ahead of the Cadillacs and some cars at the back of the grid is now presented as an almost revolutionary stirring.
Alonso, He, however, had the merit of not turning this progress into an excessive moral victory. The Spaniard explained that he had finally rediscovered the feeling of being able to to fight a little harderWhile acknowledging before the race that points still seemed out of reach, the team's communications team might benefit from adopting a more realistic perspective.
Because reaching the second part of qualifying after ten rounds is not an achievement. It's simply the bare minimum for a team with a new factory, a modern wind tunnel, and...Adrian Newey and financial resources Lawrence Stroll.
Lawrence Stroll applauded a " "Good start"
On the starting grid, Martin Brundle held out his microphone to Lawrence Stroll. The owner ofAston Martin a alors salué le travail accompli par les employés de Silverstone.
"We have reached an important milestone, the first of many."
The Canadian billionaire also mentioned a « bon début », thanking the factory teams for their efforts.
The message is understandable from a human perspective. After months of hardship, it was only logical to recognize the work of the engineers and mechanics. But from a sporting point of view, the situation is still somewhat ironic: this "good start" comes in the eleventh round of the season, with one car eliminated in Q1 and the other only managing 16th place.
At this rate, a top 10 finish might require an official ceremony at Silverstone.
The major advance stops at the gates of the points
The race confirmed that progress was real… but still very relative.
Lance stroll climbed back through the pack to finish 13th, just ahead Fernando Alonso, 14th. Both Aston Martin ont franchi l’arrivée avec un tour de retard et sans inscrire le moindre point. Le premier pilote de l’équipe a donc terminé derrière la modeste Alpine de Pierre Gasly, while the top 10 remained out of reach.
However, one thing must be acknowledged: Aston Martin n’était plus systématiquement la voiture la plus lente. Au regard de son début de saison, c’est bien une amélioration. Mais transformer une 13e place en week-end « exceptionnel » relève moins de l’analyse sportive que de la réanimation médiatique.
Stroll he himself spoke of a « big step »after the race. A big step, certainly, but taken from so far back that it still doesn't allow us to see the points.
Honda expected to be the next savior
Aston Martin now relies on an evolution of the engine Honda planned for the Dutch Grand Prix. Chassis development must also continue. Newey ayant précisé que le package hongrois ne constituait que la première partie du programme, avec d’autres nouveautés attendues à Zandvoort, puis autour de Monza et Bakou.
So there is hope. The AMR26 finally seems to offer a usable platform and Alonso felt a car much better ». Mais après autant d’investissements, de recrutements prestigieux et de promesses, Aston Martin cannot eternally present each Q1 exit as the laying of a foundation stone.
La Hongrie n’a pas marqué la renaissance d’Aston MartinShe simply showed that the stable might have finally found the button to start getting out of the cellar.
And for Lawrence strollThis is already rare enough to warrant a speech.
Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll speaking to Martin Brundle on the grid:
"We have made a very big step forward – one of many to come. Very satisfied.
"Thanks to all the hard work for all the boys and girls at the factory." #HungarianGP # AstonMartinF1 #F1 pic.twitter.com/5ojVsaIqko
— Lucho Yoma (@LucianoYoma) July 26, 2026