Aston Martin addresses 'make or break' claim as first major upgrade arrives

Aston Martin chief trackside officer Mike Krack has insisted that the outfit's first major upgrade package for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix is not "make-or-break".

The Silverstone-based outfit has introduced its first new parts of the 2026 season at the Hungaroring, featuring an entirely new chassis designed by team principal Adrian Newey.

Some have described it as effectively a B-spec car, while Honda's first power unit upgrade is planned to be introduced immediately after the summer break at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are set to receive all the new parts this weekend, with their cars remaining identical.

With the introduction of a significant new package also comes the pressure of having enough spare parts, although that is something Krack is not concerned about.

Asked if Aston Martin has enough spare parts of the new chassis specification, Krack told select media, including RacingNews365: "Yeah. So, as we said last week, we're working on it. 

"Yesterday, the garage was empty. The garage is now not empty. So we're working on having two cars ready for tomorrow morning."

Another potential factor not concerning Krack is whether Aston Martin will have both cars ready in time, with the plan having always been to fit both AMR26s with all the new parts.

Discussing whether both cars will be ready and fitted with all the upgrades in time, Krack added: "I'm confident. That was the plan. We worked to that plan, and I'm quite confident that we will be ready."

It is a major package that Aston Martin has introduced with the goal of getting back into the midfield, while also reducing the car's weight.

"I think Adrian mentioned it already a while ago, that the upgrade is a significant aerodynamic upgrade and a weight reduction. That is the key, or the red line, of it," said Krack.

Upgrade significance

Having introduced no upgrades until the Hungarian Grand Prix, Aston Martin has come under significant pressure from the media for the package to be a success.

Krack does not view it as make-or-break, insisting it is simply the first step on Aston Martin's development path.

On whether the upgrade is make-or-break, Krack responded: "No, it will not be make-or-break. I think we are all realistic. We had a plan and we worked to that plan.

"Successes and setbacks are part of sport. I think we have been in a difficult situation, or a difficult spot, before, and we try to get out of it. But more steps are needed, and this is just part of the development strategy.

"So I would not call it make-or-break. It is just development that needs to continue. We will have these regulations for the next couple of years, and this is just one step, in my opinion."