Aston Martin delivered an impressive performance at Hungary’s Grand Prix, with Fernando Alonso finishing fifth and teammate Lance Stroll having the best weekend of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The strong result came just a week after a disappointing Belgian Grand Prix, and Aston Martin sits sixth in the Constructors’ Championship as Formula 1 heads into the summer break.
The team’s remarkable improvement is attributed to a key update to their 2025 car. Former Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins explained on the Sky Sports F1 podcast that the team appears to be using a new front wing combined with their old floor. While some of the performance gain may be due to the specific track, the change this year was drastic compared to earlier races on high downforce circuits.
Collins highlighted how a single component, such as the front wing, can dramatically impact a car’s overall performance by improving airflow to the floor, diffuser, and rear wing. Getting one crucial assembly right, like the front wing or front brake duct, can significantly enhance the car’s aerodynamics. However, the team will need to test this setup on a variety of circuits with different downforce levels to confirm its effectiveness.
Despite the success, Aston Martin is uncertain about the exact reasons for their sudden competitiveness, which concerned two-time world champion Alonso. He described the result as a wonderful surprise but stressed the importance of understanding the differences in their aerodynamic setup between the Belgian and Hungarian races. Alonso emphasized that while the new front wing seems to bring considerable gains, the team needs to analyze and understand these changes before moving forward.
Fan Take: This turnaround is thrilling news for racing fans eager to see more competition at the front of the grid. If Aston Martin can consistently unlock this level of performance, it could shake up the championship battle and bring fresh excitement to the sport.