What to Expect From Honda's Long-Awaited F1 Power Unit Upgrade
Honda chief engineer Shintaro Orihara said the new-spec engine met its internal target, while cautioning against claims of a 50bhp gain.
- Honda Chief Engineer Shintaro Orihara confirmed the team hit its "internal target" with the new spec 2 engine, which will debut competitively at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
- Struggling with power deficits compared to rivals, Honda identified the internal combustion engine as its primary weakness, prompting the team to focus purely on improving engine performance.
- Orihara stresses that introducing the new engine complicates driveability, requiring fresh optimization tools; the target remains returning Aston Martin to the "racing field," where "10 milliseconds or 20 milliseconds" can make a difference.
- Aston Martin's B-spec AMR26 chassis showed promise in Hungary, where Fernando Alonso reached Q2 and Lance Stroll secured P13, setting the stage for the engine upgrade at Zandvoort.
- David Coulthard, citing his knowledge of team boss Adrian Newey, predicts Aston Martin could win races within two years, though Honda acknowledges further upgrades will be required to close the power deficit.
17 Articles
17 Articles
What to expect from Honda's long-awaited F1 power unit upgrade
Chief engineer Shintaro Orihara explains that the focus is entirely on the internal combustion engine for Honda's F1 power unit update. Drivability will once again be an important factor with Honda's new engine specification
The forecast has been maintained and the new power unit is ready to face its official premiere in competition
F1: Honda gives insight into new engine
Honda's chief engineer, Shintaro Orihara has given rare insight into the new engine to be introduced at Zandvoort. The new engine follows the major car upgrade introduced in Hungary, and together it is hoped they will propel Aston Martin further up the grid. Barely had a wheel turned than it was clear that, as was the case in 2015, the Japanese...
What to expect from Honda's long-awaited F1 power unit upgrade at Zandvoort
Chief engineer Shintaro Orihara explains that the focus is entirely on the internal combustion engine for Honda's F1 power unit update. Drivability will once again be an important factor with Honda's new engine specification
Honda hits target with new Aston Martin F1 engine ahead of Zandvoort
Honda clears new Aston Martin F1 engine for Zandvoort after hitting key target – Aston Martin will head into the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 season with a major new weapon after Honda confirmed its upgraded power unit has successfully completed factory testing ahead of its planned debut at the Dutch Grand Prix. ...
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