Fernando Alonso reported a significant improvement in his Aston Martin's performance following the debut of a substantial upgrade package during Hungarian Grand Prix practice on Friday. The team, which had aimed to challenge the top four this season, has faced a disappointing campaign marked by an underperforming engine and chassis issues. Aston Martin introduced 16 new parts at the Hungarian GP, the 11th round of the season, after other teams had brought incremental updates. While Lance Stroll's car experienced a suspension failure, Alonso found the upgraded car "much better," feeling more stable and predictable, though acknowledging it's just a first step. He expressed optimism that the team can unlock further potential, especially with an expected engine upgrade at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Team boss Adrian Newey stated that the immediate goal is to achieve "respectability" and score points. Newey, a highly decorated designer, admitted the initial races have been a "nightmare." The team is investigating the cause of the suspension failure on Stroll's car, which was not on a new part but was situated in an area with new surrounding components. Despite the setback, the team is encouraged by the correlation between the expected performance of the new package and its actual on-track results, fostering a positive atmosphere.