Aston Martin faster than expected at Hungarian GP
Fernando Alonso was the hero of Friday practice, setting a lap time that marked a major leap forward for Aston Martin after his team struggled all season. The veteran two-time champion was 2.990 seconds off the pace but managed to go one lap faster by 0.4 seconds which was ruled out due to track limits.
The upgrade has delivered as expected, according to Alonso, but there's still much work to be done. “The car feels more glued to the ground and easier to drive to an extent when you are in control of the grip in the corners,” he said, adding that “we need to find more performance both on the chassis but also on the engine.”
Other highlights from Friday practice
Charles Leclerc was fastest with Hamilton trailing by 0.148. McLaren's Lando Norris took third place while reigning champion Kimi Räikkönen struggled, coming in a disappointing 13th.
Ferrari’s strength on this track and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen were also evident as the day was not all positive for Aston Martin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Fernando Alonso's lap time compare to previous races?
Alonso marked a major step forward with his lap time that showed a significant improvement from earlier in the season, despite not going all the way around due to track limits.
What does Adrian Newey say about future upgrades?
Newey is optimistic about further upgrades for the upcoming Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, emphasizing that they are on the right path.