Aston Martin’s major upgrade hit by problem
Aston Martin’s hopes of making a major improvement at the Hungarian Grand Prix suffered an early setback after Lance Stroll’s new car experienced a rear suspension failure during first practice.
The Canadian driver was testing Aston Martin’s heavily upgraded package, which features several redesigned components aimed at improving the team’s disappointing season. However, the session ended in frustration when his left rear suspension appeared to break while he was navigating Turn Three.
Stroll spun off the track with around 20 minutes remaining in the session, forcing the team to stop running while they investigated the issue.
Alonso shows signs of improvement
Despite Stroll’s setback, team-mate Fernando Alonso provided some encouragement by finishing 13th fastest after the session resumed.
While Aston Martin remain far from the front of the grid, Alonso’s performance suggested the new upgrades could bring progress after a difficult campaign that has seen the team regularly struggle near the back of the field.
The Spaniard’s lap was 2.475 seconds slower than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who set the fastest time of the session.
Aston Martin had previously been around four seconds off the pace in recent races, making Alonso’s improved performance a positive sign for the team.
Leclerc leads Ferrari charge
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the opening practice session with a strong performance, finishing 0.484 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Leclerc’s session ended early after his Ferrari suffered a failure and stopped in the pit lane before reaching the garage.
Lewis Hamilton, also driving for Ferrari, completed the session in third place, ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar.
Mercedes driver George Russell finished fifth, while Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto followed in sixth.
Teams prepare for crucial weekend
Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti, replacing championship leader Kimi Antonelli, recorded the seventh-fastest time.
Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and Racing Bulls drivers Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson completed the top 10.
Aston Martin will now work to understand Stroll’s suspension failure before the next sessions, as the team hopes its major upgrade package can help close the gap to Formula 1’s leading teams.
The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend will provide an important test of whether Aston Martin’s new developments can deliver the improvement they desperately need.
