It explains Aston Martin’s stunning performance at Hungary’s Grand Prix.
After finishing fifth and sixth on the grid, Fernando Alonso finished fifth on the Lance Walk as Lance Martin enjoyed the most successful weekend of the 2025 F1 season in Hungary.
The result was born just a week after the disastrous Belgian Grand Prix, and Aston Martin finished sixth in the Constructors Championship heading for a summer break in Formula 1.
Aston Martin’s dramatic turnaround was made in a significant change to the team’s 2025 car.
“So the running discussion in the paddock is that they’re running a new front wing on the old floor,” former Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
“Some of it will be circuit-specific, but considering that this year I’m on an advanced downforce track and the cars aren’t playing anything like this weekend, the turnaround was phenomenal.
“So something about their new front wings – and I think it’s difficult, I think it’s difficult for people to realize that only one component or one assembly can make a huge difference in the performance of a car.
“So, if the old front wings don’t work, a single component like the front wing can allow better airflow to the rest of the car. Suddenly, the entire floor works better, the diffuser works better, and the rear wing works better.
“So you just get one assembly right – especially the front wing or front brake duct, something like that affects even more airflow in the car.
“We need to go to more circuits, and we need to make sure that this spans different downforce levels.
Why was he worried about Fernando Alonso?
Aston Martin is at a loss to explain their sudden competitiveness, which was a source of concern for two-time world champion Alonso.
“It’s a surprise. It’s definitely a surprise. It’s a wonderful surprise,” the Spaniard said. “The good thing is we were competitive and we were fast. The concern is we don’t know why.
“What is the difference in the aero device setup we were racing at the factory to accurately analyze the difference between spa and Hungary this week (before the mandatory summer shutdowns)?
“Obviously, the main theme for us was the new front wing this weekend. If that front wing gives us so much performance, that’s very good news, but I think we have to understand that at this point.”