Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Jul 24

Hamilton Leads Ferrari 1-2 in Hungarian GP Practice as Aston Martin Tests 16 Upgrades

Updated

Updated · BBC.com · Jul 24

Hamilton Leads Ferrari 1-2 in Hungarian GP Practice as Aston Martin Tests 16 Upgrades

Q: Will Alonso walk away from Formula 1 if Aston Martin's massive upgrades fail to deliver the missing adrenaline?

Probably not solely because Aston Martin’s Hungary upgrade fails. Alonso has been explicit that his 2027 decision is less about one package or even short-term competitiveness, and more about whether modern F1 still gives him the “adrenaline” and enjoyment he wants. His comments are unusually clear. He has said he feels “fresh,” “motivated” and “fast,” and that he is not looking to leave Aston Martin for another team: “I do have a contract, so I’m not moving.” He also said he has “zero doubts” Aston Martin, with Adrian Newey and Honda, will eventually build a front-running car. That means a disappointing debut for the team’s major Hungary update would not automatically trigger retirement. What could matter is whether the broader direction of the sport changes his feeling. Alonso has complained that the current cars are “not fun to drive” and do not deliver the same sensation from the cockpit. He has framed the issue as a category-level one, not just a team-performance problem. That is the strongest evidence that, if he walks away, it would be because F1 itself no longer gives him enough satisfaction. Aston Martin is also managing expectations. Mike Krack has stressed Hungary is “not a make-or-break weekend,” with the team expecting a learning phase from the new chassis and aero package, while Honda’s upgraded power unit is only due after the summer break. Alonso plans to decide after that break. So the smarter reading is that Hungary is one input, not the decisive trigger.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 24

Lewis Hamilton set the Friday pace at the Hungaroring with a 1:18.729 lap, beating Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc by 0.148 seconds for a one-two.
Ferrari's strong showing came on a track suited to its cornering strengths, while Lando Norris was third, 0.499 seconds back, and Max Verstappen finished fourth.
Mercedes looked less settled: George Russell was fifth, 0.933 seconds off, and championship leader Kimi Antonelli ended 13th after a crash interruption and a mistake ruined his qualifying-simulation laps.
Aston Martin's heavily revised car showed tentative progress despite Fernando Alonso finishing 19th, 2.990 seconds down; a lap nearly 0.4 seconds quicker was deleted for track limits.
That upgrade test was complicated by Lance Stroll's suspension failure in first practice, which left the team without enough spares to repair his car for the second session.