Adrian Newey and Fernando Alonso’s rare radio exchange reveals why Aston Martin’s 2026 upgrade matters – Aston Martin’s technical director Enrico Cardile says Fernando Alonso’s unusually positive radio message after the Dutch Grand Prix was significant because it confirmed that the team’s latest AMR26 upgrade had changed not only its performance, but also the way the car felt to drive.
Alonso finished ninth at Zandvoort to record Aston Martin’s best result of the 2026 season. After the chequered flag, he had a rare exchange over team radio with team principal and technical leader Adrian Newey.
Alonso told the team: “Good points, well-deserved, and a very nice car to drive for the whole race.”
Newey responded: “Well done, Fernando. Very disciplined and a huge boost for everyone in Silverstone. Thank you.”
Alonso then replied: “Yes, absolutely. Thanks to all of you, everyone in Silverstone. Amazing.”
For Cardile, Alonso’s description of the AMR26 as “a very nice car to drive” was particularly important.
Alonso’s feedback provided confirmation
Cardile explained that the comment suggested the improvements could be felt behind the wheel, rather than simply appearing in the team’s aerodynamic and performance data.
“Not only the numbers changed, but also the feeling,” Cardile said.
That distinction is important for Aston Martin because the team has spent much of 2026 trying to understand a car that had previously been difficult for its drivers to predict.
The latest upgrade package appears to have addressed both performance and drivability, according to Cardile.
Aston Martin says the upgrade changed the car
Last year, Aston Martin encountered similar limitations when introducing a major upgrade package. Although the update delivered performance gains, it did not fundamentally alter the characteristics of the car.
Cardile says the latest package is different.
“This time it is different,” he explained. “In terms of total downforce, this package is a huge step up compared to the base car. It also changes the handling of the car.”
The significance is that Aston Martin believes it has achieved two improvements simultaneously: generating more outright performance while also making the AMR26 more predictable for Alonso and Lance Stroll.
“We have taken a double step: a major increase in pure performance and a significant improvement in handling,” Cardile said. “That is why it feels so different for the drivers.”
Drivers can now work with the car
Cardile also highlighted the importance of giving both drivers a car that behaves in a more predictable manner.
“It was important to give them a car they can drive as they wish,” he said. “The car is now more predictable and responds better to setup changes.”
Earlier in the season, Aston Martin’s drivers had struggled with inconsistent behaviour from the AMR26. From their perspective, the car could react differently from one lap to another, making it more difficult to extract its potential.
That frustration has now eased, with discussions increasingly focused on the remaining limitations of the car rather than fundamental problems with its behaviour.
For Aston Martin, that represents an important change in development direction.
Newey and Aston Martin already looking to 2027
The improvement at Zandvoort is unlikely to change Aston Martin’s wider focus. With Newey heavily involved in the team’s technical direction, attention is already turning towards the next generation of the car.
The team is examining how the lessons from the 2026 AMR26 can be carried into the 2027 project, with the aim of building on the improved platform rather than simply correcting its fundamental weaknesses.
That makes Alonso’s brief radio comment more significant than it initially appeared. A driver describing the car as “very nice to drive” after a difficult season provides Aston Martin with something that raw performance figures cannot: confirmation that the changes are being felt inside the cockpit.
For a team still trying to establish itself as a regular front-running contender, that feedback could prove particularly valuable as development moves towards 2027.
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.
