P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull finds itself under threat from surprise package Aston Martin going into this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressed surprise at Aston Martin’s sudden improvement in performance, speculating if Adrian Newey’s influence is a factor. Despite Lance Stroll’s crash during practice, both he and Fernando Alonso showed potential for strong grid positions. Alonso’s impressive performance, finishing second in FP2, suggested the car’s capabilities. The twisty circuits seem to suit Aston Martin well, similar to their success at the Hungaroring. Marko acknowledged Newey’s impact on Aston Martin’s progress, noting the significant leap in performance. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda had a decent showing, with Marko cautiously optimistic about their progress compared to previous races. In Marko’s view, the upcoming race could see a competitive battle among Aston Martin, Mercedes, and Red Bull behind McLaren.
