Fernando Alonso reckons qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix was an "important" boost for Aston Martin after his first Q2 appearance in the 2026 campaign. The two-time F1 world champion took 16th at the Hungaroring to end the team's run of five consecutive back-row qualifying sessions.

Round 11 marked the Silverstone squad's first major upgrade, radically changing the AMR26's chassis with an engine update coming at Zandvoort. Alonso said the package changed momentum at both factories, giving the team clear targets for future development.

The Spaniard completed a clean weekend, qualifying ahead of Haas, Williams and Cadillac. He noted the car gained load and overall grip, becoming more consistent and forgiving to drive compared to the previous tricky car.

Team-mate Lance Stroll struggled with a rear suspension failure in FP1, missing FP2, and qualified 20th. The Canadian acknowledged improved grip but highlighted a significant engine power deficit.