What happened: Adrian Newey believes Aston Martin's revamped car, planned to debut at the Hungarian Grand Prix, will be enough to convince Fernando Alonso to commit to the 2027 season. Alonso's future is uncertain, with the 44-year-old weighing how much time he has left to make the project work.

Why it matters: Retaining a proven race-winner anchors Aston Martin's lineup during a difficult stretch, with the team reportedly slipping behind F1 newcomer Cadillac near the back of the grid. Convincing Alonso to stay would buy the project stability as it builds toward its longer-term ambitions.

What to watch: Watch whether the Hungarian Grand Prix upgrade delivers a step forward on track and how Alonso reads it against his timeline.