2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[BassVirolla]

Honda admitted they have challenges adapting their combustion technology to the 2026 combustion engine. Their rapid combustion concept doesn't work at 16:1 compression ratio, they can't run the in-cylinder pressure sensor that allowed them to use aggressive ignition timing, and the new fuel is harder to vaporize.

I think a greater perspective is needed here. It's not about blaming AMR or blaming Honda. It's about acknowledging that Honda was already having a difficult time, and it's been made more difficult by last minute changes to the power unit. In other words, people need to be patient, instead of bashing Honda.

What timeframe of patient? Ferrari WCC patient or just McLaren Honda patient?

Formula 1 is not going anywhere, and neither are Aston Martin or Honda. I think realistically it's a 2 year timeline for Honda to get their act together and get to the level of Mercedes like they did in the previous regs. Unfortunately, that isn't going to do Fernando Alonso any favors. They could get some good results next year (podium, maybe even a win), but it's still too early to talk about being the top team.

Was just a little joke.

I hope the situation will (eventually) be turned around, but the time frame is a mistery.

Edit: seen in perspective and thinking it twice, McL-Honda and Ferrari are neither scenarios of patience at all.

[Rikrikrik]

I still thinking they will find solutions for all thing more quickly than all people think. But, the promisses needs to be proved it. In Japan we need able to see a lot of improvement by Honda, if the same things still happen there after thoso interviews... They dont know what they doing and just play with media. Alonso's reactions this year will tell us a lot, more than any other year.

What promises? By who? No one has made promises. You're just setting yourself up for disappointment with your own assumptions that Honda don't know what they're doing. You haven't a clue. You don't know what Aramco are doing either, or what they're not doing compared to other race fuel suppliers.

Honda promissed improves and solve this vibration question for Japan. They will make this? i dont trust on them. For me, nothing will change.

[SSJ4]

amus saying of one of the solutions honda brought was soundproofing material which adds 5kg addition in weight
might be a miss translation on my behalf though

[FNTC]

Did Aston Martin only find out what it signed up for with Honda in November?

Japanese media have reported these kinds of stories ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, suggesting Newey asked for changes relatively late – something that was denied in Melbourne by HRC president Koji Watanabe.

[FNTC]

Honda Racing official post:
Monday, 9th March 2026 - Alonso says early P10 was unexpected, Stroll sees clear direction

Orihara:

“Next week in China, we are now confident to build up more mileage on the battery. We will focus on putting in the laps and gathering data to improve our performance and optimise our energy management.

[FNTC]

Media pressure is building:
Formula 1 News: Honda denies split talk as Alonso hits back

) Honda Racing’s senior managing director Ikuo Takeishi has denied any knowledge of moves by Aston Martin to terminate their works partnership, as the Japanese manufacturer faces mounting pressure following a Melbourne race weekend that exposed the full depth of their crisis.
“At least, I haven’t heard anything about that directly,” Takeishi said when asked point blank about reports that team owner Lawrence Stroll may be seeking to end the deal.
“What we need is to ensure reliability and improve performance. That’s what I want to focus on.”

[AR3-GP]

I think interviews like this are worth reading. It gives some perspective: https://global.honda/en/F1/features/202 ... ry/kakuda/

You get a greater appreciation for what Honda is doing, even if it's not in the best conditions right now.

[TyreSlip]

amus saying of one of the solutions honda brought was soundproofing material which adds 5kg addition in weight
might be a miss translation on my behalf though

It is the only logical outcome. They already added weight to insulate the batteries better.

Because Aston Martin was already overweight to start, I wonder how much additional weight the team is able to remove while upgrading the car?

[max_speed]

I think interviews like this are worth reading. It gives some perspective: https://global.honda/en/F1/features/202 ... ry/kakuda/

You get a greater appreciation for what Honda is doing, even if it's not in the best conditions right now.

i have deep appreciation for their work since Mclaren honda days

[diffuser]

"Could we do it this way?" This sums it up: it doesn't say "you must have to do it this way." So here too, there is little to discuss.

- they try to distance themselves from assuming responsibility. AN mentioned several putting an accent on “chassis” (his job) and “PU” (Honda job). Which is not wrong but they are supposed to work as team.

The point is, even without AN’s requests, Honda’s PU would have lagged far behind the competition.

Honda admitted they have challenges adapting their combustion technology to the 2026 combustion engine. Their rapid combustion concept doesn't work at 16:1 compression ratio, they can't run the in-cylinder pressure sensor that allowed them to use aggressive ignition timing, and the new fuel is harder to vaporize.

I think a greater perspective is needed here. It's not about blaming AMR or blaming Honda. It's about acknowledging that Honda was already having a difficult time, and it's been made more difficult by last minute changes to the power unit. In other words, people need to be patient, instead of bashing Honda.

Remember, Honda's admission was about their own challenges and in a vacuum. At the time of that quote, they didn't have any idea how well the other teams had done with combustion. They were referring to changes in the ICE regulations regarding the CR and fuel. Other teams have had to overcome the same challenges. Do we know yet if the other teams have done a better job with combustion for 2026? Since Honda haven't run at full power yet, no—we have not answered that question yet.

[zoroastar]

amus saying of one of the solutions honda brought was soundproofing material which adds 5kg addition in weight
might be a miss translation on my behalf though

that was one of my worries. usually any material added to dampen vibration is pretty heavy. if theyre just coating areas with dynamat, it isnt an optimal solution in the least. hopefully a real fix will be coming real soon

[zoroastar]

Did Aston Martin only find out what it signed up for with Honda in November?

Japanese media have reported these kinds of stories ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, suggesting Newey asked for changes relatively late – something that was denied in Melbourne by HRC president Koji Watanabe.

wow that really throws a wrench in the "neweys fault" hypothosis being tossed around by everybody in here.

[zoroastar]

"Could we do it this way?" This sums it up: it doesn't say "you must have to do it this way." So here too, there is little to discuss.

- they try to distance themselves from assuming responsibility. AN mentioned several putting an accent on “chassis” (his job) and “PU” (Honda job). Which is not wrong but they are supposed to work as team.

The point is, even without AN’s requests, Honda’s PU would have lagged far behind the competition.

Honda admitted they have challenges adapting their combustion technology to the 2026 combustion engine. Their rapid combustion concept doesn't work at 16:1 compression ratio, they can't run the in-cylinder pressure sensor that allowed them to use aggressive ignition timing, and the new fuel is harder to vaporize.

I think a greater perspective is needed here. It's not about blaming AMR or blaming Honda. It's about acknowledging that Honda was already having a difficult time, and it's been made more difficult by last minute changes to the power unit. In other words, people need to be patient, instead of bashing Honda.

Remember, Honda's admission was about their own challenges and in a vacuum. At the time of that quote, they didn't have any idea how well the other teams had done with combustion. They were referring to changes in the ICE regulations regarding the CR and fuel. Other teams have had to overcome the same challenges. Do we know yet if the other teams have done a better job with combustion for 2026? Since Honda haven't run at full power yet, no—we have not answered that question yet.

if they turn it up and they suddenly become competitive everything will be like none of this vibration stuff even happened in a few weeks. the fact that honda are joining into a super competitive venture and decide to still use engineers that have no experience in f1 is unforgivable to me. its like everybody has to deal with their timeline and they could care less. i guarantee this wasnt very high on their priority list of things to tell their new partners when they were discussing terms.

[AR3-GP]

Did Aston Martin only find out what it signed up for with Honda in November?

Japanese media have reported these kinds of stories ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, suggesting Newey asked for changes relatively late – something that was denied in Melbourne by HRC president Koji Watanabe.

wow that really throws a wrench in the "neweys fault" hypothosis being tossed around by everybody in here.

This doesn't reflect anything. Honda boss just didn't want to put more gasoline on the fire, like AMR was doing all week.

[ScottB]

If, hypothetically, they did ditch the Honda deal, not clear where they could even go? Their Merc allocation went to Alpine, I think the default is they'd be expected to go with who is supplying the least other teams? But I'm guessing Audi and RBPT, as new manufacturers, wouldn't be forced to supply another team so that might mean Ferrari becomes the default supplier for an Aston that suddenly needed an engine?