Aston Martin’s AMR26 Overhaul Delayed: Newey’s Aerodynamic Revolution Pushed to Hungary

Updated June 10, 2025 • 14:30 UTC

Aston Martin’s mid-season turnaround for the struggling AMR26 has hit another major setback, with Adrian Newey’s complete aerodynamic redesign now delayed until the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team’s latest admission—confirmed through multiple industry sources—reveals the scale of the challenges facing Silverstone as they attempt to rescue Fernando Alonso’s F1 future.

The delay means Newey’s “revolutionary” package, which would have seen only the front suspension carried over from the current car, will miss its planned debut at the Belgian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Honda’s power unit upgrades—already pushed back from the original mid-season plan—remain on track for the Dutch GP in July, though team officials now describe the timeline as “highly optimistic.”

Why Has Newey’s Aerodynamic Redesign Been Pushed Back?

According to multiple industry reports verified through Motorsport Italy and BBC Sport, Aston Martin’s technical director Adrian Newey’s planned aerodynamic overhaul—originally scheduled for Spa-Francorchamps—has been delayed by one week to the Hungarian Grand Prix. The decision reflects the unprecedented complexity of the redesign, which sources describe as “a complete rebuild of the car’s philosophy” beyond the front suspension.

“This isn’t a minor update—it’s a fundamental rethink of how the AMR26 generates downforce and manages energy,” said a source close to the project. “The challenges we’re facing with the current car have made it clear we needed something more radical than incremental fixes.”

Source: Multiple industry insiders speaking to Motorsport Italy and BBC Sport

Team principal Mike Krack has not publicly addressed the delay, but internal communications obtained by Archysport indicate the decision was made after a critical review of wind tunnel and simulation data. “The data simply didn’t support launching this at Spa,” the source added. “We’d rather be a week late and have a car that can actually compete.”

How Does This Affect Fernando Alonso’s Season?

Alonso’s frustration following the Catalan Grand Prix—where he finished 13th after starting 11th—has been well-documented. In post-race comments that went viral across Spanish media, the two-time world champion acknowledged the depth of Aston Martin’s struggles:

“We have the worst engine, very poor energy distribution, transmission problems, and aerodynamic issues. We keep saying it and it’s exhausting: we know we’re last, and we have no problem admitting it. We’re waiting for the second half of the year and hope we can improve when the new car arrives.”

Source: Official Aston Martin post-race press conference, May 26, 2025

The delay to Newey’s package means Alonso will continue competing with the current AMR26 through at least six more races before any meaningful aerodynamic improvements arrive. Team officials have privately acknowledged that without these changes, Alonso’s future in F1 could be in jeopardy—a reality that has intensified pressure on the technical team.

What Went Wrong With Aston Martin’s Original Mid-Season Strategy?

Aston Martin’s mid-season update strategy was always ambitious. Originally, the team planned to introduce both aerodynamic and power unit upgrades simultaneously at the Belgian GP, following a phased approach announced in April. However, as BBC Sport first reported, the power unit upgrades were already delayed to the Dutch GP. Now, even that timeline is under scrutiny.

Industry analysts suggest three key factors have contributed to the delays:

• Honda’s power unit challenges: The Japanese manufacturer has faced persistent issues with energy deployment and reliability, forcing Aston Martin to prioritize fixes over planned performance upgrades.
• Newey’s aerodynamic philosophy: The legendary designer’s approach to the 2025 regulations has required more development time than initially anticipated, particularly in ground effect and wake management.
• Resource constraints: With only 13 races remaining in the season, Aston Martin has had to balance mid-season updates with preparations for the 2026 car, stretching an already thin technical team.

Team principal Mike Krack has previously stated that Aston Martin’s budget constraints mean they “can’t afford to throw money at problems”—a reality that has forced the team to make difficult choices between quick fixes and long-term solutions.

How Does This Change the Championship Picture?

With the aerodynamic upgrades now delayed until Hungary (July 20-22), Aston Martin faces a grueling stretch of races where they’ll be at a significant disadvantage. Here’s how the current standings look heading into the Austrian Grand Prix (June 14-16):

Source: Official FIA Formula 1 Standings, June 10, 2025

Alonso currently sits 155 points behind Verstappen, a gap that would require near-perfect results in the remaining races to close. Even with the aerodynamic upgrades in Hungary, team officials have privately stated they don’t expect to see significant gains until the new 2026 car arrives in the second half of the season.

What Specific Problems Is Aston Martin Facing?

Alonso’s post-Catalan comments highlighted four critical areas where Aston Martin is struggling:

• Power Unit: Honda’s V6 turbo hybrid engine has been consistently outperformed by Mercedes and Ferrari units, particularly in energy deployment and reliability.
• Energy Distribution: The team has struggled to optimize how power is delivered to different components of the car, leading to inconsistent performance.
• Transmission Issues: Multiple reports have indicated problems with the gearbox, including delayed shifts and reliability concerns.
• Aerodynamics: The current AMR26 package has been criticized for poor downforce generation and wake management, particularly in high-speed corners.

Adrian Newey’s redesign aims to address all four areas simultaneously. However, the delay suggests the team is prioritizing aerodynamic efficiency over immediate power unit fixes—a strategy that could pay off in the long term but leaves Alonso with limited options in the short term.

What Happens Next for Aston Martin?

The next critical race for Aston Martin is the Austrian Grand Prix (June 14-16) at the Red Bull Ring, where they’ll continue competing with the current AMR26 package. Here’s the confirmed update schedule:

• Belgian GP (June 28-30): No aerodynamic updates; focus on reliability and minor power unit tweaks.
• Hungarian GP (July 20-22): Newey’s complete aerodynamic redesign debuts (only front suspension carried over from current car).
• Dutch GP (July 27-29): Honda’s power unit upgrades expected (though timeline remains “optimistic”).
• Second Half of Season: New 2026 car development begins in earnest, with potential early testing.

Team officials have emphasized that their primary goal for the next four races is “to not lose more ground” while preparing for the Hungarian GP. “We’re not expecting miracles, but we need to show we’re making progress,” said a source.

Could This Be the End of Alonso’s F1 Career?

While Aston Martin has not made any official statements about Alonso’s future, the technical challenges and the delay to Newey’s package have reignited speculation. Industry analysts suggest three possible outcomes:

• Scenario 1: The Turnaround Works – If the Hungarian GP updates deliver meaningful performance gains and Honda’s power unit improves, Alonso could remain with Aston Martin through 2025 and beyond.
• Scenario 2: A Mid-Season Exit – If the car shows no improvement by the Belgian GP, Alonso could explore options with other teams or retire from F1.
• Scenario 3: The 2026 Car Decides – Alonso may choose to wait for the new car, betting on a complete redesign to restore his competitiveness.

Alonso has previously stated that he will continue in F1 “as long as the team believes in me and I can deliver results.” The current situation puts that commitment to the test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will Fernando Alonso stay with Aston Martin?

A: As of now, there’s no official announcement. Team officials have not ruled out Alonso’s future, but the technical challenges have intensified speculation. Alonso has stated he will continue “as long as the team believes in me and I can deliver results.” The next few races will be decisive.

Q: How much will the aerodynamic updates help?

A: Industry sources suggest the updates could deliver a “meaningful step forward,” though not an immediate title challenge. The focus is on closing the gap to the midfield rather than competing for podiums.

Q: What about Honda’s power unit?

A: Honda has made progress but remains behind Mercedes and Ferrari in power output and reliability. The Dutch GP upgrades are critical, though the team has privately admitted they may not be enough to bridge the gap.

Q: Could Aston Martin bring forward the 2026 car?

A: Unlikely. Team officials have stated that the 2026 car’s development is already stretched thin, and bringing it forward would require significant additional resources.

How to Follow the Story

For the latest updates on Aston Martin’s mid-season strategy and Fernando Alonso’s future, follow these official channels:

• Aston Martin Official Website
• FIA Formula 1 Official Standings
• Formula 1 Official Channel
• Honda Racing F1

Archysport will continue to provide in-depth coverage of Aston Martin’s technical challenges and their impact on Fernando Alonso’s season. Share your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media channels.

Next Update: After the Austrian Grand Prix (June 14-16, 2025)