Lance Stroll says that Aston Martin’s upgrades in Hungary must work, as a boost to the Honda engine alone will not save the F1 season – Ahead of next week’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Stroll admitted that the AMR26 is fundamentally flawed, warning that the team’s major chassis upgrade package must deliver immediate progress because Honda’s planned engine improvements alone will not be enough to rescue the team’s disappointing 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
The Silverstone-based team is preparing its first significant update of the season for Hungary, with further Honda power unit upgrades to be introduced after the summer break at Zandvoort.
Stroll believes that the Hungaroring, where aerodynamic performance and chassis balance are more important than engine power, will provide the clearest indication yet of whether Aston Martin can turn its season around.
Aston Martin is preparing an extensive upgrade package for Hungary
The update is primarily designed to address the weaknesses of the AMR26 chassis rather than improve engine performance. According to the team, the revised package includes significant weight reductions to both the chassis and the gearbox. This means the car will have to undergo fresh FIA homologation testing.
The extent of the revisions has led to comparisons with a B-spec version of the AMR26, highlighting just how significant the changes are.
Lance Stroll delivers brutal verdict on the AMR26
When asked at Spa-Francorchamps about the positives of Aston Martin’s current car, Stroll offered an unusually candid evaluation of the team’s situation.
“We can only go forward, so that’s positive. I mean, right now, yeah, it’s been pretty terrible. There’s nothing great about our car; there are no strengths, so we can only get better.”
The Canadian also explained the handling problems that have plagued Aston Martin throughout the season, with severe understeer in high-speed corners being highlighted at the British Grand Prix.
“We have entry instability and braking issues at medium to low speeds. Then there’s this kind of aerodynamic stalling, where the front wing stalls and we just completely wash out in high-speed corners. There are a few limitations.”
Stroll added that, although aerodynamic data provides engineers with valuable information, some of the issues experienced by the drivers are difficult to identify through telemetry alone.
“Some of these aerodynamic stalls are very hard to see on the pressure taps and where they’re coming from. So I’m trying to give the guys back in Silverstone, who are working on the aerodynamics, a better idea of what we’re experiencing in the car. Sometimes it’s hard for them to see just from the data.”
Hungary will reveal whether Aston Martin has solved its biggest problems
Looking ahead to next week’s upgrades, Stroll said that Aston Martin hopes to improve both the AMR26’s downforce and its unpredictable aerodynamic characteristics.
“We’re hoping to improve some of these characteristics. More downforce for sure, but also the bad aero characteristics that we’ve had for a long time. We’re hoping to make the car healthier and nicer to drive.”
Although Aston Martin has also lacked straight-line performance from its Honda power unit, Stroll insisted that the team’s biggest concerns extend beyond engine output.
“I think it’s two different issues. We have a lot of things to work on with drivability. We’re lacking power, but we also have balance issues and limitations in terms of downforce. We need to find a lot more downforce.”
The Hungarian Grand Prix could define Aston Martin’s season
Stroll believes that the Hungaroring offers the ideal benchmark because it rewards chassis performance and aerodynamic efficiency rather than outright horsepower.
He warned that if Aston Martin remains uncompetitive there, the Honda engine upgrades planned for the Dutch Grand Prix are unlikely to transform the team’s fortunes.
“I think Hungary is a good test. It’s not a circuit that’s very sensitive to power; it’s a circuit that favours the chassis, so that’s the test. If we’re still very slow in Hungary, the extra power at Zandvoort won’t solve all our problems,
“It’s not a power-sensitive circuit, so it’s one of those places where you need downforce and good balance. If we’re much more competitive in Hungary, I think that’ll bode well for the rest of the season.”
With the summer break approaching in Formula 1, Aston Martin’s heavily revised package represents its biggest opportunity yet to turn around a challenging season.
A stronger showing in Hungary would suggest that the team’s aerodynamic approach is finally paying off, but another disappointing weekend would raise questions about whether the underlying problems of the AMR26 can be resolved before the focus shifts fully to the 2027 season.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
Craig Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
Craig’s work focuses heavily on real-time developments in the paddock, including team updates, regulatory decisions, and emerging controversies. This role requires a detailed understanding of Formula 1’s operational flow, from practice sessions through to race-day strategy and post-race fallout.
With experience managing editorial teams, Craig ensures that TJ13 delivers structured, reliable coverage while maintaining the site’s distinctive voice.
Craig has a particular interest in how information moves within the paddock environment, and how rapidly developing stories can be accurately translated into clear, accessible reporting for readers.
