2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[TyreSlip]

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?

I think the hypothetical is meaningless because no matter what rumours the media keep spinning, Aston Martin is committed to Honda.

Newey has already stated what he wants from Honda for 2027. He did not sign with Aston Martin to be at the mercy of Audi/RBPT/Ferrari and restricted in how he can design a car. Becoming a customer of another engine supplier would go completely against the team's mission of becoming world champions.

[Leon Kennedy]

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?

I think the hypothetical is meaningless because no matter what rumours the media keep spinning, Aston Martin is committed to Honda.

Newey has already stated what he wants from Honda for 2027. He did not sign with Aston Martin to be at the mercy of Audi/RBPT/Ferrari and restricted in how he can design a car. Becoming a customer of another engine supplier would go completely against the team's mission of becoming world champions.

I was actually deceived too during the pre-season tests, the fact is that rightly all of us who were looking forward to this 2026 with positive anxiety, it turned out to be the worst of the scenarios.


But the reality is very different from how we see it, the advantages of being a motorsport team are enormous and AM knows it well. We all, including me, are having the right reaction to what is happening, let me explain better: the Honda engine is not bad at all, I would also venture to say that in my opinion they are on par with Ferrari at maximum power unlocked, but our reaction is the same as that required by the FIA etc.to try to obtain important concessions; AN was not born yesterday, none of us has the right to judge it as TP and much less criticize it, it does not do things by instinct or hot-button reactions,Before saying something, he thought about it 1000 times and knows exactly what he's doing. I think the move to put Cowell in Japan in November was already emblematic of what I'm saying, he calculated everything.


So, what to expect? We just have to hope that things go well (not 100% because that's almost impossible to achieve, like the vibration issues, 2 out of 5 solutions worked, which is still optimal)Cowell once said that a 20% margin of what you find in the simulation is considered super efficient, this applies to a bit of everything.


My most optimistic idea ever is that: (It's very crazy, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks so.)we will lose another 25 points in China and then Japan as soon as the engine has unlocked its potential, we have to resist for get at least top 5 so as not to lose too many points, the fight for the championship is still possible, then in Barcelona with Alonso Land the total change will begin.

I may be crazy, But do you know that there is a current F1 driver who thinks like me? Bottas, in fact, recently declared that AM will be fighting with Russell until Abu Dhabi,this declared just 6g ago.

Let's wait and see.

[mzso]

I may be crazy, But do you know that there is a current F1 driver who thinks like me? Bottas, in fact, recently declared that AM will be fighting with Russell until Abu Dhabi,this declared just 6g ago.

I read it. In an article titled something like "Bottas makes fun of Aston Martin"...

[LookingGlass]

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.

This is the most worrisome part to me. For whatever reason, Honda seems like it treats F1 like it is Formula SAE.

[etusch]

Looks like mgu-k also geared

[ispano6]

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.

This is several months old too. Would other's perspective have changed and what they commented about Honda be taken back? Perhaps in hindsight?

It's the media painting an obnoxious narrative and smear campaign and the fanatics being emotionally swayed by it. It's race 1 of 100+ of a new Formula.

Newey is guessing 30%. 30% of which staff? R&D staff? Out of 11 people? 3 people lost to retirement? Asaki never had them "join" HRC since it didn't exist, yet they lent their assistance to Asaki because he persuaded them to. These individuals did not leave their respective vehicle(fuel additive) motorcycle(cylinder plating) and HondaJet(mgu-h) divisions. HRC did branch off from Honda after 2021 to form it's own company so that it is protected from corporate bean counters and has it's own funding, so it's not the same organization when compared to the Toro-Rosso days. HRC has stated it will tap HRC MotoGP resources which shouldn't affect the road-division or aerospace projects budgets (VTOL,low-earth orbit satellite launch technologies, solar/hydrogen life-support systems). The issue is did Honda limit themselves by creating HRC such that it's difficult to tap the aerospace division's personnel? Some personnel didn't want to be involved in F1 too.

Here is my summary of the NHK documentary that had interviewed the key personnel of the Red Bull era. It will give you a better picture of how Honda operated then, and whether they should convince some folks over some beers and skewers now.
viewtopic.php?t=26921&start=2580

Here's the race report from Honda:
https://global.honda/en/F1/race/2026/01 ... port/race/

[GoranF1]

https://x.com/i/status/2031064688952234315

[makecry]

https://x.com/i/status/2031064688952234315

I am inclined to believe they were all surprised at some of the numbers they saw and the improved mood after quali was palpable.

[Leon Kennedy]

I may be crazy, But do you know that there is a current F1 driver who thinks like me? Bottas, in fact, recently declared that AM will be fighting with Russell until Abu Dhabi,this declared just 6g ago.

I read it. In an article titled something like "Bottas makes fun of Aston Martin"...

Well, that's what the person who wrote the article thought, it's not necessarily what Bottas thinks. In fact, he wouldn't have any reason to mock a team currently ahead of Cadillac, in my opinion. I repeat: we'll probably have the answer in Japan.

[Rikrikrik]

https://x.com/i/status/2031064688952234315

I am inclined to believe they were all surprised at some of the numbers they saw and the improved mood after quali was palpable.

I said we need stop to compare this actual stage with Mclaren Honda 2015 but, THIS is ECXATELY the same things we read in 2015

[makecry]

https://x.com/i/status/2031064688952234315

I am inclined to believe they were all surprised at some of the numbers they saw and the improved mood after quali was palpable.

I said we need stop to compare this actual stage with Mclaren Honda 2015 but, THIS is ECXATELY the same things we read in 2015

Lmao. I was thinking the same thing as I was typing it. Things sound awfully similar. I have faith in Newey. My time at a very top institution in my field has taught me smart people are smart because more often than not they can course correct.

[diffuser]

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 wasn't very high on their priority list of things to tell their new partners when they were discussing terms.

I tend to want to agree with you and maybe the full OLD team could have prevented the issues. We don't know how many retired, how many went to work on other projects, how many went to work on other projects and will not return cause they will retire in the next couple of years. People are free to do what they want in Japan too you know.... Also maybe it's a just a perfect storm where Newey arrived late made a major correction. That correction made Both AMR and Honda late and have issues.

I won't agree with you. From my part, if they fix the vibration and the PU is competitive, it's all forgiven. If they still suck mightily, no forgiveness.

[diffuser]

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.

This is several months old too. Would other's perspective have changed and what they commented about Honda be taken back? Perhaps in hindsight?

It's the media painting an obnoxious narrative and smear campaign and the fanatics being emotionally swayed by it. It's race 1 of 100+ of a new Formula.

Newey is guessing 30%. 30% of which staff? R&D staff? Out of 11 people? 3 people lost to retirement? Asaki never had them "join" HRC since it didn't exist, yet they lent their assistance to Asaki because he persuaded them to. These individuals did not leave their respective vehicle(fuel additive) motorcycle(cylinder plating) and HondaJet(mgu-h) divisions. HRC did branch off from Honda after 2021 to form it's own company so that it is protected from corporate bean counters and has it's own funding, so it's not the same organization when compared to the Toro-Rosso days. HRC has stated it will tap HRC MotoGP resources which shouldn't affect the road-division or aerospace projects budgets (VTOL,low-earth orbit satellite launch technologies, solar/hydrogen life-support systems). The issue is did Honda limit themselves by creating HRC such that it's difficult to tap the aerospace division's personnel? Some personnel didn't want to be involved in F1 too.

Here is my summary of the NHK documentary that had interviewed the key personnel of the Red Bull era. It will give you a better picture of how Honda operated then, and whether they should convince some folks over some beers and skewers now.
viewtopic.php?t=26921&start=2580

Here's the race report from Honda:
https://global.honda/en/F1/race/2026/01 ... port/race/

When he, Andy and Lawrence went to Japan in November they saw the R&D staff, that's what the conversation was about. He responded to a question. My interpretation of that answer is "I haven't looked at any data with exact numbers (i'm guessing) from what I saw maybe 30%".

[ispano6]

When he, Andy and Lawrence went to Japan in November they saw the R&D staff, that's what the conversation was about. He responded to a question. My interpretation of that answer is "I haven't looked at any data with exact numbers (i'm guessing) from what I saw maybe 30%".

Maybe they missed the memo that Honda had been following company tradition and nurturing their engineers who will then go onto other projects. They are pretty much given the assurance not to fear failure. One would hope that those who contributed prior can provide nuggets of wisdom given the space and occasion. Back then it was "All Honda", but with HRC personnel/staffing there is now a clearer distinction. Perhaps those who are in HRC now will be there for the "long run", 5+ years. I would also think there would be some burnout or individuals moving on after a period of success.

Applications and contributions of F1 technologies to the future of mobility
The technologies refined in F1, such as technologies for high-efficiency combustion and thermal management; technologies in the area of high rotational speed, including high-output motors and large-sized turbochargers; as well as sustainable fuel technologies, are being applied not only to next-generation HEV and EV models but also to Honda products that enhances mobility in the skies, such as eVTOL and aircraft engines.

To be more specific, expertise on sustainable fuels has already been applied to sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), as well as fuels to power eVTOLs, which are currently under study. Moreover, technologies for high-speed rotating components, such as turbos and motors, have been leveraged reciprocally for aircraft engines and F1 PUs and are being further advanced through real-world applications. This circular synergy is ongoing within Honda.

Honda will leverage F1 technologies as a starting point to further facilitate technological innovation for a wide range of mobility for land, sea, skies and outer space and contribute to the advancement of mobility products and services and realization of a sustainable society.

[mzso]

Looks like mgu-k also geared

Isn't that all of them? I got the impression from this forum that they were always geared.