Fernando Alonso: This result was needed by the team.

      During the Dutch Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso was rarely seen on camera – likely a mistake by the broadcast director, as the Spanish Aston Martin driver finished ninth after starting from a distant 18th position, achieving his best result of the season.

      Such a noticeable advancement was possible because Fernando drove a lengthy stint on soft tires after the restart, only switching to hard tires on lap 34 and reaching the finish without any pit stops.

      It seems that tire degradation on the upgraded AMR26 chassis was not as intense compared to competitors, allowing him to compete with faster cars.

      "Our plan was different, as we intended to implement a more traditional two-stop strategy," commented the two-time world champion while speaking to the Spanish press. "But we had to abandon that plan because if we got stuck in traffic, we wouldn't be able to realize the car's potential.

      The AMR26 is fast in corners, but we lack speed on the straights, and we get stuck behind slower cars. But when the track is clear in front of us, we have to make the most of it, even if it's not the most optimal approach.

      In Monaco, we earned one point because nine cars retired from the race, and now we've earned two points, although only Max Verstappen dropped out of the competition. I think this is a deserved result after a not-so-successful weekend in Budapest, where things could have gone better for us.

      But a lot depends on the specifics of each track and the length of the straights. I don't think we'll be competitive in Monza, but on other tracks, we can fight for points."

      At the Dutch stage of the championship, the Aston Martin team received upgraded Honda engines, which increased in power, but there are still questions regarding handling characteristics.

      "Driving has become more challenging," Alonso admitted. "But the situation is not that simple, and it's not just about whether the engine has become more powerful or not. Handling is an aspect that varies from track to track, and we have difficulties with it. They manifest when shifting to lower gears, as well as during engine braking while navigating corners.

      Still, another step forward has been made. The package of updates presented in Hungary helped us understand if we are moving in the right direction, and thanks to the information gathered then, we were able to optimize the car's performance.

      Now we are able to fully unleash its potential; it handles corners well, and that no longer causes significant concern. We achieved the result that the team needed. Now we just need to continue working on optimizing the technology. The result motivates everyone, so both the team and the Honda engineers are even more determined to work hard because everyone wants more."