(Motorsport-Total.com) – Aston Martin will take a calculated risk in a week at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team will bring its most extensive update of the season to the AMR26 so far, but because development work continued until the last minute, there is hardly any time left to produce additional spare parts.
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Race director Mike Krack openly admits that while the team expects to have two race-ready cars, it is reaching its limits regarding spare parts. The tight schedule is the biggest problem. There are only a few days between the Belgium and Hungary weekends in which the new components must be manufactured, tested, and brought to the track. Accordingly, the pressure in the factory is high.
Krack makes no secret that the situation is anything but comfortable. When asked whether Aston Martin can guarantee traveling to Budapest with two cars and enough parts of the new specification, he initially replies jokingly: “That’s the million-dollar question.”
He then becomes more serious and explains: “Everyone is working at full speed to finish the parts and get the cars ready. When you decide to bring such a big upgrade this way, it’s a huge task.”
Two cars yes – extensive spare parts supply rather not
According to Krack, it is no coincidence that Aston Martin has pushed the development schedule to the limits. “You always try to push deadlines as far back as possible,” explains the Luxembourger. This allows working on the new components as long as possible and incorporating additional insights into production.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic. “I think we will have two cars ready to start.” At the same time, however, he significantly tempers expectations: “Honestly, I don’t think we will have five spare parts of every new component with us.”
In plain language, this means: If there are damages already in the first practice sessions, Aston Martin might have to improvise. Especially with an extensive aerodynamic package, this would not be an unusual situation, as new parts are often initially available only in very limited quantities.
Krack therefore confirms that the team has prepared various contingency plans. “You always have to play through different scenarios. What happens if we have this part but not that one? You must not depend on a single missing component.”
Various vehicle configurations already prepared
If not every new part is available in time, Aston Martin can also combine individual components with older specifications. The team has already prepared different configurations precisely for such cases.
“There are plans for that: What do we do if this part is missing? Can we use this one instead?” explains Krack. “Of course, there won’t be a complete replacement for everything. But everyone has done a good job minimizing risks and preparing alternatives in case one or two components are not ready in time.”
The fact that the team still wants to travel to Hungary with the complete upgrade shows how important Aston Martin considers this development program. After a disappointing season so far, the team remains stuck in the lower midfield and hopes to finally initiate a turnaround with the new vehicle concept.
Alonso: It’s initially about the right direction
Fernando Alonso, however, tries to keep expectations for the update deliberately low. The two-time world champion points out that Aston Martin has already predicted performance gains several times this season that later did not materialize on the track.
“It’s difficult to give the update a concrete number,” says Alonso. “By now, we have enough experience predicting performance increases that we ultimately did not achieve.”
For him, something else is central. “It’s more about the team proving that we are moving in the right direction. Maybe the philosophy of our car was not right. That’s why we are changing the concept, making different modifications, and also reducing weight.”
This aspect is crucial for the future. “More than a specific lap time, it’s about gaining confidence in our development direction – also with a view to next year.”
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Only Budapest will provide reliable answers
According to Alonso, the actual progress will not show immediately anyway. On Friday in Budapest, Aston Martin will carry out numerous test programs to analyze the new components.
“Maybe we will have a better understanding after the race,” explains the Spaniard. “During the weekend, we will have to work through many test points before we can make a final assessment.”
If the update develops as hoped, Alonso even considers battles for Q2 and occasional points finishes realistic again. At the same time, however, he calls for patience.
“At the moment, we are at the back of the field. If we could actually make a step with which we fight for points, that would be an incredible progress. But we have to stay calm.”
Not every track will benefit from the new package
Alonso also assumes that the effect of the new package will vary greatly depending on the track characteristics. Especially high-speed circuits like Monza are likely to continue to cause Aston Martin difficulties despite the changes.
“There will be tracks where we won’t gain much even with the new car,” he explains. “Monza has only a few corners. There, the available energy plays a big role, and exactly in this area, we will not improve decisively.”
Therefore, it will be important to consistently seize opportunities on suitable race tracks. “If a track suits our car or we have a good weekend, then we have to make the most of that chance.”
Honda reports positive signals from the test bench
In parallel, engine partner Honda is also working on further improvements. Although the new power unit version is only expected at the Dutch Grand Prix, the previous test bench results make the Japanese optimistic.
“We still have five weeks until the Netherlands,” explains Honda’s lead Formula 1 engineer Shintaro Orihara. “Our engine for Zandvoort is currently running on the test bench. The progress is good. I’m not saying we are already at top level, but development is going as planned.”
The first measurement results also meet expectations. “So far, yes. Our understanding of the development confirms that we are making the progress we expected.”
Focus is entirely on engine performance
In the final phase of development, Honda is currently working especially on the drivability of the new power unit. For this purpose, engine and gearbox are tested together on a special test bench to further improve response behavior in dynamic driving situations.
“Improving drivability is still an ongoing topic,” says Orihara. “We are working intensively on that right now.” Other changes, such as to the battery or energy storage, are currently not the focus.
When asked about possible adjustments to the electrical components, Orihara answers briefly: “We are focusing exclusively on the performance of the combustion engine.”
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