Hungarian upgrades package shows potential

Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team driver Lance Stroll finished P13 in the Hungarian Grand Prix, his best result of the season so far following AMR26 upgrades.

Upgrades brought to Hungary

The team introduced several updates to the AMR26 for the Hungarian Grand Prix, covering the whole car, including a new front wing, nose, floor body, diffuser, rear suspension and rear wing.

Lance started the weekend’s first session on the Hard tyre. He completed 11 laps before experiencing a suspected left rear suspension failure that resulted in the end of his session.

Unfortunately, Lance was also unable to participate in Free Practice Two because there hasn’t been enough time to repair the damage to his car.

WATCH: 2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX FREE PRACTICE ONE HIGHLIGHTS

More learning with the new package

Lance was one of the first drivers to take to the track in FP3, beginning on the Medium tyre to continue gathering information about the new package.

He switched to Softs for the final 10 minutes and set a total of 20 laps during the 60-minute session.

WATCH: 2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX FREE PRACTICE THREE HIGHLIGHTS

Progress and potential

High track temperatures affected the Hungaroring throughout Saturday.

Lance noticed better downforce and grip from the AMR26 during the Qualifying session, particularly compared to previous weekends.

He felt there was potential to make it into Q2. However, a tailwind at Turn 12 unfortunately caught Lance out while he was on a flying lap. He concluded P20.

WATCH: 2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS

Back racing in Budapest

Going into the race, Lance had one set of new Hards, one set of new Mediums, two new Softs and three used Soft tyres.

He began the race on Softs from P20.

At the end of Lap 8, Lance became the first driver to make a pitstop, switching onto the Medium tyre and returning to the track in P22. He then worked on gradually making up time.

By the halfway point, Lance was running in P15, just behind teammate Fernando Alonso, and he was feeling good in the car.

On Lap 38, Lance made his second pitstop. He returned to the track on another set of Softs.

After a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 56, Lance was running in P13.

Lance concluded the Grand Prix in P13, his best result of the season so far.

The team will now work on analysing the data collected from the new package in order to continue unlocking performance once racing returns on 21-23 August with the Dutch Grand Prix.

WATCH: 2026 HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RACE HIGHLIGHTS

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team, said:

‍"I felt good in the car today, and it was nice to feel like we were racing again. We're not where we want to be yet so there's more work to do, but we're in the mix now.

"The more laps we get with the package, the more performance we'll unlock. It's the most encouraging update we've had in a long time and we've got more coming for Zandvoort, so it's positive to see we're moving in the right direction."