Jul.24 (GMM) Fernando Alonso has played down extraordinary expectations surrounding Aston Martin’s radically revised car, insisting no upgrade could immediately erase the team’s enormous deficit.
The Adrian Newey-led package finally arrived at the Hungaroring after a last-minute push, with rumours suggesting almost everything except the front suspension has changed.
“Spa was one of the toughest,” Alonso said at the Hungaroring.
“I think we had the guy in front of us 2.1 seconds ahead, so there is no package in the world that will give you that amount of time.”
“Probably the position would not change if you ran the updated car in Spa one week ago, so that’s how we need to treat it.”
Trackside boss Mike Krack admitted the new components had arrived extremely late. “Yesterday the garage was empty,” he said on Thursday.
“Now it isn’t. So we’re working to have two cars ready by tomorrow morning.”
Krack also rejected suggestions that the Hungary package will determine the project’s future. “No, it won’t,” he said.
“I think we’re all realistic. More steps are needed, and this is just part of the development strategy, so I wouldn’t call it decisive.”
“It’s simply a development that needs to continue.”
Aston Martin has separated its major chassis and engine developments, with the upgraded Honda power unit still scheduled to make its race debut at Zandvoort.
However, it’s reported that reserve driver Jak Crawford will complete an initial 200-kilometre filming-day run with the new engine at the Hungaroring on Wednesday – Alonso’s 45th birthday.
Honda spokesman Shintaro Orihara said the revised unit includes substantial internal changes.
“We are working on the shape of the combustion chamber,” he said. “We have also modified the pre-chamber. We are also working to reduce friction by modifying the lubrication system.”
However, Orihara dismissed rumours of a 50 horsepower increase.
“I’d like to reach that figure, but it’s quite a high one,” said the Japanese.
“I can’t give details about the power output, but my impression is that it’s just a rumour. I don’t think it’s a real figure.”
Krack said introducing the chassis first will allow Aston Martin and Honda to understand how the increased cornering speeds alter the power unit’s behaviour.
“There will be higher cornering speeds, which affects energy and, in turn, all the power unit calibrations,” he said.
Alonso, meanwhile, appears to have ruled out switching to another team if he continues into 2027. “I do have a contract, so I’m not moving,” he said.
The remaining choice is therefore increasingly clear – another season with Aston Martin, or retirement.
“I feel fresh, I feel motivated, I feel fast, but I need to enjoy what I do as well,” said Alonso.
“In the cockpit it’s not the same adrenaline that I used to have driving a Formula 1 car. It’s not a problem with the competitiveness of the team.”
“It’s just a problem of whether Formula 1 gives me the adrenaline that I need to live.”
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