Newey targets major aerodynamic and weight changes at Hungaroring to move towards midfield pack.
Alexander Albon, after a difficult start to the 2026 season, Aston Martin is finally rolling out substantial chassis upgrades for this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. According to reporting by Formula 1 (site oficial).
Adrian Newey, hailed as F1’s design guru, described the early-season struggles bluntly: “Extremely challenging” and “on both the chassis side and the power unit side, we’ve been on the back foot from the start.”
The new package aims to tackle chronic vibrations experienced by drivers earlier this season, which limited race lap times. The AMR26 has lagged behind expectations in qualifying and races, especially at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend.
What Changes Are Coming?
This upgrade is more than surface-level. “The main structural elements remain the same—chassis and gearbox architecture don’t fundamentally change—but we’ve taken weight out of both,” Adrian Newey said, explaining substantial aerodynamic revisions.
Newey confirmed the package includes a new nose design and revised surfaces to boost speed around track bends, all while getting closer to the weight limit. The team is aiming for a significant step forward compared to their previous performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are these upgrades being implemented?
Aston Martin’s AMR26 version will feature significant chassis updates at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, before Honda follows with a new engine update for the Dutch race.
How does this compare to previous performance?
Previous performances saw limited upgrades throughout the season. This marks one of few sweeping changes for the team as they struggle to meet expectations and challenge for mid-table positions.