What happened: Fernando Alonso says he is prepared for a few more difficult weekends of "painful results" while he waits on Aston Martin's major upgrade package. He expects the team's form to change "dramatically" once those parts arrive.

Why it matters: The comments frame Aston Martin's season as upgrade-dependent, with Alonso signaling that current pace is a known short-term cost rather than a structural ceiling. How quickly the package lands will shape where the team realistically competes through the middle of the campaign.

What to watch: Watch for the timing of Aston Martin's upgrade rollout and whether Alonso's pace genuinely jumps once the parts are fitted.