Fernando Alonso secured ninth position at the Dutch Grand Prix, earning two points for Aston Martin. This result at Circuit Zandvoort marks the team’s best finish of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Alonso started the race from 18th on the grid, demonstrating a notable climb through the field.
The Spanish driver’s performance was underpinned by a strategic one-stop race. Aston Martin opted to deviate from an initial two-stop plan, a decision that proved effective in the challenging conditions. Alonso completed a significant 35-lap first stint on soft tyres.
This points finish is only Alonso’s second of the current campaign, with the previous point scored at the Monaco Grand Prix. That earlier result was largely influenced by numerous penalties and retirements among rival drivers.
Aston Martin has faced a challenging 2026 season, sitting second to last in the Constructors’ Championship prior to the Zandvoort event. The AMR26 car encountered initial issues, including chassis and power unit problems, alongside chronic vibrations.
Significant upgrades were introduced to the AMR26 in recent races. A major 16-part package, focusing on the floor, sidepod inlets, and nose, debuted at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break.
Further aerodynamic refinements, including tweaks to the front wing, diffuser, and floor fences, were implemented for the Dutch Grand Prix. Concurrently, the Honda power unit received its first substantial upgrade of the season at Zandvoort.
Despite these developments, the Honda power unit continues to exhibit a deficit on the straights. However, the chassis upgrades have improved the car’s tyre life and mid-corner performance, with Alonso demonstrating strong pace in these sections.
Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Partner at Aston Martin, designed the AMR26. He conveyed his congratulations to Alonso over team radio following the race.
Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer, indicated that the team is still in the process of fully understanding and optimising the new aerodynamic package. He stated that extracting maximum performance requires more track time.
Alonso expressed satisfaction with the car’s handling post-upgrades. He described the AMR26 as a ‘lovely car to drive’ and conveyed confidence that ‘more to come’ from the team’s development efforts.
The two-time world champion acknowledged the team’s progress in reducing the performance gap to leading competitors. He anticipates varying competitiveness across circuits, expecting challenges at high-speed venues like Monza.
Lance Stroll, Alonso’s teammate, started from 19th position but retired from the Dutch Grand Prix due to damage sustained early in the race. Stroll had previously described the Honda power unit upgrade as ‘a lottery’ after qualifying.
Alonso’s contract with Aston Martin concludes at the end of the 2026 season. His future in Formula 1 remains undecided, though the team has publicly expressed its desire to retain him.
The Dutch Grand Prix marked Round 12 of the 2026 Formula 1 season. This event is expected to be the final Grand Prix held at Circuit Zandvoort for the foreseeable future.
