Fernando Alonso is "optimistic" about Aston Martin's major car upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix, though he cautions against high expectations. The team is introducing a significantly revised car with reduced weight, a new chassis, and aerodynamic changes. This is their first major upgrade of the season, as they began with a car below par.

Aston Martin opted to introduce all new parts at once, a strategy chosen to maximize their budget under the spending cap. This approach has seen them fall further behind, particularly at recent tracks like Silverstone and Spa due to engine performance. Alonso is hesitant to predict outcomes, noting the varying performance gaps in recent races. "We didn't do that and we try to catch up all in one go," he stated.

The Honda engine will not be upgraded this weekend, with a new development engine planned for the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break. Chief technical officer Adrian Newey explained the decision to focus development later in the year for future competitiveness. Alonso, whose contract is up for renewal, is committed to Aston Martin long-term but his decision to continue in F1 will not solely depend on the upgrade's performance, nor his satisfaction with current F1 engine energy management demands.