RACING
Aston Martin Upgrades Deliver Alonso’s Best Qualifying of 2026
A major upgrade package gave Aston Martin a significant boost at the Hungarian Grand Prix, allowing Fernando Alonso to record his strongest Formula 1 qualifying result of 2026.
The latest Aston Martin upgrades appear to have delivered the breakthrough the team had been waiting for. At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso advanced beyond Q1 for the first time in a full-length qualifying session this season, marking his strongest Saturday performance of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
Moreover, the result suggests Aston Martin has finally taken a meaningful step forward after months of struggling near the back of the grid.
New AMR26 Package Shows Immediate Progress
Aston Martin introduced an extensive update package for the AMR26, featuring multiple aerodynamic and mechanical revisions.
As a result, the car showed a clear improvement in pace around the Hungaroring. After repeatedly missing Q2 by large margins throughout the season, Alonso successfully advanced into the second qualifying session.
Furthermore, the performance represented a dramatic turnaround compared to Spa-Francorchamps, where Aston Martin struggled to match its midfield rivals.

Aston Martin’s latest AMR26 upgrade package produced an immediate improvement in Hungary.
Alonso Outqualified Several Midfield Rivals
The upgraded car allowed Alonso to outperform several competitors during Q1.
He finished ahead of one Haas, both Williams drivers, his teammate Lance Stroll and both Cadillac entries. Consequently, Aston Martin secured its first appearance in Q2 during a standard qualifying session this season.
Although Alonso could not improve further in Q2, his final position still became his best qualifying result for a Grand Prix this year.

Fernando Alonso advanced to Q2 for the first time in a full qualifying session during 2026.
A Positive Sign Before Future Developments
The Hungarian Grand Prix may represent an important turning point for Aston Martin.
While the new Honda power unit is still scheduled to arrive later in the season, the current upgrade package has already made the team more competitive against its direct rivals. Meanwhile, both Fernando Alonso and Adrian Newey have expressed optimism about the direction of the project.
Therefore, Aston Martin hopes these improvements will provide a stronger foundation for the remainder of the 2026 season and future development.

Aston Martin expects its latest upgrades to provide a stronger platform for future development.
Aston Martin Upgrades Offer New Optimism
The Aston Martin upgrades delivered exactly what the team needed in Hungary: measurable progress on track.
Overall, Alonso’s best qualifying result of the season provides encouraging evidence that the AMR26 is moving in the right direction. If development continues at this pace, Aston Martin could become a regular contender in the midfield during the second half of the Formula 1 season.
RACING
Andretti Unveils Liberty Walk Livery for Tokyo E-Prix
Andretti has revealed a special Liberty Walk-inspired livery for the Tokyo E-Prix, blending Formula E technology with one of Japan’s most recognizable tuning brands.
The Andretti Liberty Walk collaboration is bringing a fresh look to the Formula E grid ahead of the Tokyo E-Prix. Andretti has unveiled a special silver-and-blue livery created with renowned Japanese tuner Liberty Walk, celebrating the race’s return to the streets of Japan’s capital.
Moreover, the one-off design pays tribute to Japan’s legendary car culture while highlighting one of Formula E’s biggest events of the season.
Liberty Walk Brings Its Signature Style to Formula E
Known worldwide for its bold widebody creations, Liberty Walk has partnered with Andretti to give both Gen3 Formula E race cars an eye-catching appearance for the Tokyo event.
Instead of the tuner’s more recent white-and-red color schemes, the special edition features a chrome silver and blue finish inspired by classic Japanese performance cars. As a result, the cars combine modern electric racing technology with styling cues that have become iconic among automotive enthusiasts.

Andretti’s Formula E cars receive a special Liberty Walk-inspired silver-and-blue livery for Tokyo.
A Tribute to Japanese Automotive Culture
Founded in the early 1990s, Liberty Walk has built a global reputation for transforming performance cars with aggressive widebody kits and unmistakable styling.
Furthermore, the Tokyo E-Prix livery reflects that heritage by adopting colors reminiscent of legendary Japanese sports cars from the late 1990s and early 2000s. The design celebrates the country’s rich tuning scene while giving Andretti one of the most distinctive liveries on the Formula E grid.

The special livery honors Japan’s iconic tuning culture through Liberty Walk’s unique design language.
Tokyo’s Street Circuit Promises a Tough Challenge
While the new livery will attract plenty of attention, the drivers will still face one of the season’s most demanding street circuits.
The Tokyo layout features 18 corners packed into just 1.6 miles, leaving little room for mistakes. Consequently, precision will be just as important as outright speed as drivers navigate the narrow course lined with unforgiving barriers.
Meanwhile, Andretti enters the weekend running near the top of the Formula E Teams’ Championship, hoping the special edition design will accompany a strong on-track performance.

Andretti will debut the Liberty Walk livery during the challenging Tokyo Formula E street race.
Andretti Liberty Walk Creates One of Formula E’s Most Unique Liveries
The Andretti Liberty Walk partnership perfectly blends motorsport with Japanese automotive culture.
Overall, the collaboration delivers one of the most memorable liveries of the Formula E season while showcasing Liberty Walk’s unmistakable design philosophy on an international racing stage. If Andretti can match the striking appearance with a strong result, the Tokyo E-Prix could become one of the team’s standout weekends of the year.
RACING
George Russell Says Ferrari Is Well Ahead at Hungarian GP
George Russell says Ferrari has emerged as the team to beat in Hungary, although Mercedes remains confident it can make significant progress before qualifying.
George Russell believes Ferrari has established itself as the benchmark at the Hungarian Grand Prix after a difficult opening day for Mercedes. Although the British driver admitted the W17 was not competitive enough on Friday, he remains optimistic that the team can unlock more performance before qualifying.
Furthermore, Russell explained that the Hungaroring is not the ideal circuit to determine whether Mercedes has fully solved the straight-line issue that affected the team in recent races.
Ferrari Sets the Early Pace
Friday’s practice sessions confirmed Mercedes’ biggest concern.
According to George Russell, Ferrari looked exceptionally strong throughout the day, particularly over a single lap. Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled to extract maximum performance, leaving Russell well behind the fastest times.
However, the British driver noted that the team’s long-run pace appeared more competitive. As a result, he believes Mercedes has a stronger foundation than the final standings suggest.

George Russell believes Ferrari has been the strongest team at the Hungaroring so far.
Mercedes Still Has Work to Do
Russell admitted the W17 was far from its ideal setup during Friday’s sessions.
Additionally, teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli lost valuable track time after missing the opening practice session, making it even harder for Mercedes to evaluate its full potential.
Despite those challenges, Russell remains confident. He believes setup changes and evolving track conditions could significantly improve the car before qualifying.

Mercedes expects to improve its performance before Saturday’s qualifying session.
Hungary Doesn’t Reveal Mercedes’ Biggest Improvement
One of the main talking points heading into the weekend was whether Mercedes had solved the deployment issue that cost Russell valuable performance in Belgium.
However, the British driver explained that the Hungaroring is not the right circuit to measure that progress. Because the track features short straights and places less emphasis on top speed, any improvement would be far less noticeable than it was at Spa-Francorchamps.
Moreover, Russell said he trusted Mercedes’ engineers to resolve the problem and focused entirely on driving rather than monitoring the system during practice.

Russell says the Hungaroring is not the best circuit to evaluate Mercedes’ straight-line improvements.
George Russell Still Expects Mercedes to Fight Back
Although Ferrari currently appears to have the advantage, George Russell believes Mercedes can still become a contender this weekend.
Overall, the team expects setup improvements and changing weather conditions to help close the gap. If Mercedes can maximize the W17 overnight, Russell remains confident the team can fight much closer to the front during qualifying.
RACING
Oscar Piastri Says McLaren Upgrades Aren’t a Revolution
Oscar Piastri believes McLaren’s new upgrade package is delivering the expected gains, but insists it is not a game-changing development ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri believes McLaren has made progress with its latest development package, but he insists the updates should not be viewed as a dramatic transformation. After a challenging Friday at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Australian admitted he still has work to do before qualifying.
Moreover, Piastri expects to evaluate the new package himself after missing the opportunity to use it during Friday’s practice sessions.
A Difficult Friday for Piastri
Piastri completed only the second practice session after reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli took over his McLaren during Free Practice 1.
As a result, the Australian lost valuable track time on a circuit that proved difficult for every driver. Strong winds and recently resurfaced sections of the Hungaroring created low-grip conditions throughout the day.
Consequently, Piastri finished eighth, nearly a second behind teammate Lando Norris, while acknowledging that missing an entire session made it much harder to find the right setup.

Oscar Piastri says missing the opening practice session made Friday much more challenging.
McLaren’s Upgrades Deliver Expected Results
Although Piastri did not run the new aerodynamic package, he confirmed that Norris’ data suggests the upgrades are working as planned.
However, he emphasized that the improvements should not be considered a major breakthrough.
Instead, Piastri explained that the package provides incremental gains rather than completely changing the behavior of the car. Furthermore, he expects to test the upgrades himself during Saturday’s running.

McLaren’s latest upgrade package appears to deliver steady improvements rather than a dramatic performance gain.
Ferrari Sets the Pace Ahead of Qualifying
While McLaren remains optimistic, Ferrari emerged as Friday’s benchmark at the Hungaroring.
Lewis Hamilton topped the second practice session ahead of Charles Leclerc, demonstrating impressive pace throughout the day. Meanwhile, Mercedes proved more difficult to evaluate after showing inconsistent performance across both sessions.
Nevertheless, Piastri believes the field remains extremely close. Therefore, he expects qualifying to be highly competitive if McLaren can maximize the car’s potential overnight.

Oscar Piastri expects a much stronger performance after testing McLaren’s upgrades on Saturday.
Oscar Piastri Expects More From Saturday
The Oscar Piastri McLaren Upgrades story is far from over.
Overall, the Australian remains confident that additional track time and the new development package will allow him to move closer to the front of the field. Although Friday was challenging, McLaren still believes it has the pace to fight near the top when qualifying begins.
-
TEST DRIVES2 months ago2026 Subaru Outback Touring
-
TEST DRIVES1 month agoLamborghini prepares multiple launches for 2026 as electrification plans continue
-
TEST DRIVES2 months ago2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD
-
RACING1 month agoBarcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: Everything You Need To Know About Formula 1’s Ultimate Benchmark Circuit
-
INTELLIGENT MOBILITY1 month ago2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL Redefines Luxury In The Electric SUV Segment
-
RACING1 month agoGeorge Russell Leads Final Barcelona Practice As Kimi Antonelli Receives Reprimand
-
NOW TRENDING2 months agoPorsche Creates A Buzz Lightyear-Inspired 911 GT3 RS That Looks Ready To Go “To Infinity And Beyond”
-
RACING2 months agoWhy Formula 1 Has Pit Lane Speed Limits And How They Are Measured

You must be logged in to post a comment Login