New power unit for Aston Martin
Honda‘s updated power unit has made its initial track appearance during an Aston Martin filming day in Hungary. This development precedes its anticipated race debut at the Dutch Grand Prix. The new engine is intended to complement a significant car upgrade package that Aston Martin introduced at the recent Budapest round.
The AMR26 car incorporated 16 new developments in Budapest. These changes contributed to Fernando Alonso securing the team’s first Q2 appearance of the season. In the race, Alonso finished P13, with teammate Lance Stroll finishing P14. This performance saw them ahead of an Alpine car and both Haas and Williams cars.
Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Aston Martin, along with Alpine and Audi, remained at the Hungaroring circuit. They participated in tyre testing for Pirelli before conducting a filming day. It was during this filming day that Honda‘s new-specification power unit was run on track for the first time.
Shintaro Orihara, Honda‘s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, had previously confirmed the manufacturer’s plans. He stated that the filming day would be used to test the engine upgrade. He also noted that the team had collected vital data in Hungary to assist with the next race.
A spokesperson for Honda‘s F1 operation confirmed that the new engine was indeed used during the filming day. Attention is now focused on further testing at Zandvoort in just over three weeks.
Team collaboration and future steps
Mike Krack, Aston Martin‘s Chief Trackside Officer, explained the improved collaboration between the team and Honda. He acknowledged a challenging start to their relationship in early 2026. Krack emphasised that both parties recognised they were “in this together” and needed to work diligently to overcome difficulties.
He highlighted that there were multiple meetings to discuss the challenges, which significantly improved the relationship. This improvement was noted in the garage, the engineering office, and the technical collaboration between Aston Martin‘s factory in Silverstone and Honda‘s headquarters in Sakura. Krack described the period as tough but necessary for improvement, stressing the need for professionalism in such situations.
The pace gain demonstrated by Aston Martin in Hungary aligned with the team’s expectations. Krack stated that the main objective was to return to competitive racing, which he believes was achieved with the upgrade package. He added that the team now needs to take the next steps in their development.
Orihara concurred, specifically referencing the new engine as a crucial next step. He noted that introducing the new power unit in Zandvoort is important, especially now that the chassis is performing well. He anticipates that Honda‘s power unit should contribute to improved lap times.
Concerns about engine vibrations, which had been an issue earlier in 2026, resurfaced on Friday in Hungary. However, both the team and engine supplier indicated these were not the same vibrations experienced at the start of the season. Alonso suggested that these issues were “fixed completely” when a new engine was installed for the remainder of the weekend from Saturday, implying that the previous unit might have been nearing the end of its operational life.
Alonso stressed the collaborative nature of the partnership, stating, “We are one team, we work together.” He explained that both sides acknowledge their weaknesses and strive to assist each other. He mentioned that Honda initially helped with the car’s weaknesses, and now, with the chassis improvements, Aston Martin aims to support Honda. This mutual support is seen as a foundational step for both factories to build confidence and trust in their respective efforts over the coming months.
The filming day, during which teams are restricted to 200km of running and must use special ‘demonstration’ tyres, provided a valuable opportunity to assess the new engine’s integration with the chassis. This initial run marks a key moment for the partnership as they prepare for the upcoming race in the Netherlands.
The introduction of the new power unit is a significant move for Aston Martin and Honda as they aim to improve their performance throughout the season.
Source: formula1.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
