Though optimistic about this weekend's upgrade, it is the 2026 regulations that continue to cause Fernando Alonso concern.

F1's very own Samurai has a reputation of leaving teams just as their fortunes turn, and while he may be experiencing the 'season from hell' at Aston Martin at present, the wily old Spaniard knows that things could soon change.

However, ahead of a significant upgrade to his car, which some are describing as an entirely new car, it is the regulations overhaul that is causing the two-time world champion to consider his future in the sport.

"Silverstone and Spa were not fun to drive," he told reporters in Hungary today. "It is not fun to watch or drive," he added. "We have been saying the same thing, and it is not to criticise, it is to help everyone improve.

"The direction we took this year is not the same adrenaline I had before from an F1 car," he admitted. "It is a problem, whether F1 gives me the adrenaline I need to live."

Asked what he is expecting from the upgrade, Alonso, who is 45 next week, said: "I am not thinking on numbers or positions. In the last five races we have very different gaps to the midfield.

"The other teams opted for a more conventional upgrade path, bringing 0.1-0.2s every few races, then you end up with a second in race twelve. We didn't do that, we try to catch up all in one go.

"It doesn't change your natural position in the end," he added.

"I have a pretty clear picture of the team that we will fix all the problems," the Spaniard continued. "They take time but I have no doubts Adrian will provide the best car on the grid sooner or later. I would like to see the first steps with this package.

"And the PU," he said of the upgraded engine to be introduced next month at Zandvoort, "I have no doubt, it is a matter of time before Honda fixes the issues.

"I am thinking I need to know what I do next year and the years to come," he reiterated. "I feel fresh, motivated and fast but I need to enjoy what I do."

Newey has defended the decision not to introduce gradual upgrades, telling reporters at Silverstone: "We took the painful, but I believe correct, decision to not do any developments through the first half of the year, knowing that that would actually mean, as everybody else develops, of course, the gap to the front would actually get bigger.

"But, with a view to then really getting ourselves better organised, putting lots of different systems into place for the future, and then really doing our research properly, because the '26-car was a very competitive timescale.

"So, it's enabled us to step back a bit, take a bit of pressure off ourselves, because I think we actually put ourselves under too much pressure over the winter, and take a deep breath, and really understand our problems, what we need to achieve, with this upgrade package that we go to Hungary as the first stage, the second stage in Zandvoort."