Key takeaways
- Rare radio message: Technical Chief Adrian Newey delivered a rare direct radio transmission congratulating Fernando Alonso on his 9th-place finish at the Dutch GP.
- Silverstone morale booster: Newey described Alonso’s disciplined drive as a “huge boost” for the factory team back in Silverstone as they continue development on the AMR26.
- Turnaround potential: Alonso praised the improved driveability of the updated car while maintaining a cautious, hard-working outlook for the second half of the 2026 season.
Adrian Newey heaped praise on Fernando Alonso after the Spaniard secured his first points of the 2026 Formula 1 season with a 9th-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. In a rare radio exchange, the Aston Martin team principal and chief designer highlighted the two-time world champion’s “excellent driving” and called the result at Zandvoort a “huge boost” for the entire factory workforce in Silverstone.
Newey’s audio message was not featured on the official Formula 1 international broadcast, but it captured clear recognition for Alonso’s performance. The designer commended the Spanish driver’s discipline throughout the race and pointed to the result as key motivation for the remainder of the season.
“Very well done, Fernando. That was an excellent drive. Great discipline and a huge boost for everyone back in Silverstone. Thank you very much,” Newey said.
Alonso responded by thanking the crew and adopting a distinctly positive tone regarding the car’s behavior around Zandvoort. The exchange stood out given the contrast with earlier expressions of frustration during a challenging 2026 campaign plagued by performance deficits.
“Thanks to you, and to everyone in Silverstone… Incredible result. A wonderful car to drive today. And there’s more to come, I’m sure of it. Thank you,” Alonso replied.
The ninth-place finish delivered Alonso’s first points of the championship and reinforced signs that Aston Martin’s latest aerodynamic and chassis updates have moved the team in the right direction. After the race, the Spaniard noted that while driveability limitations remain, Zandvoort could mark a turning point for the second half of the year.
“It feels great to finish in the points at Zandvoort. I wasn’t expecting this. Full credit to the team for extracting everything out of what we had. We still have some driveability issues, but this weekend represents another step forward. We will carry this momentum into the next rounds and keep working hard to make the most of the car,” he stated.
Formula 1 returns September 4–6 at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete live coverage of all on-track action. Follow all updates on our news page.
Aston Martin Dutch GP Performance Summary
| Driver | Grid Position | Finish Position | Points Earned |
| Fernando Alonso | P10 | P9 | 2 |
| Lance Stroll | P15 | P13 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. What did Adrian Newey say to Fernando Alonso on the team radio?
Adrian Newey congratulated Alonso on an “excellent drive” with “great discipline,” adding that the 9th-place result was a “huge boost for everyone back in Silverstone.”
2. Was this Fernando Alonso’s first points finish of the 2026 season?
Yes, finishing 9th at Zandvoort marked Fernando Alonso’s first top-10 finish and first points of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.
3. What upgrades helped Aston Martin score points in Zandvoort?
Aston Martin introduced chassis revisions alongside an updated Honda power unit specification designed to improve power delivery and handling balance.
