2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[zoroastar]

Particularly explosive: Pride and loyalty play a central role in Japanese culture. "If you throw Honda right under the bus on the first weekend, I feel like they could have ruined the relationship before the first weekend was even over. This is a disaster from every conceivable perspective," was the devastating verdict.

https://www.motorsport-total.com/formel ... a-26031006

dude will buxton? the same guy that netflix hires to add all the drama to Drive To Survive? hes the biggest clickbate drama queen of the last decade.

[zoroastar]

People who were saying Newey was wrong to speak so open and hard about Honda problems in press conference and saying he is not good for team principal dont really know what they talk about.
He achieved exactly what he wanted whit that spech, Honda just announced they have increased number of staff and reached pre exit numbers and also they sacrificed Moto gp projects to help F1.

They have probably done this in the months preceding Melbourne. This kind of change wouldn't happen in the span of a GP weekend so Newey's criticism's have not changed anything other than to make enemies.

the only enemies he made are all the rabid honda fans on the internet. you seriously think that honda are that weak and petty? sometimes its good to seperate facts from fantasies when you are online.

[CHT]

So, to put it the usual way, it's Adrian's fault. If I tell the architect of my house to make the columns diagonally, I imagine he will only make them to please me and without considering the consequences.


No guys, it doesn't work like that for me, they themselves said that there were no vibrations on the test bench. It was their mistake and they need to fix it.

From the footnote, Honda mentioned the MGU-K housing rigidity was increased to improve vibration resistance and the 2021 MGU-K housing was attached to the side of the engine. Currently the MGU-K is mounted end to end to the ICE. I am guessing the MGU-K vibration on the ICE engine and gearbox is likely to be very severe.


https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... U-H_MGU-K/


Like for the MGU-H, the main focus of MGU-K development through to 2019 was improved reliability, which changed to improved motor performance from 2020. The bearing support structure was changed in 2018. While no problems were found at all when bench-testing motors on their own, they would break down when installed and operated in actual power unit bench tests. This was due to insufficient bearing allowable loads in terms of radial load. With the new-layout ICE introduced in 2021, combustion pressure increased and vibration became more intense. Housing rigidity was increased to improve vibration resistance.

[f1Follower]

AMR should try to finish Sprint Race to collect some data and see how competitive their Aero package against top teams

[SealTheRealDeal]

AMR should go all out with one car in the sprint. I assume most teams will run super conservative so screw it destroy an engine to give ALO a shot at his fist sprint victory. Stroll can collect data.

[diffuser]

People who were saying Newey was wrong to speak so open and hard about Honda problems in press conference and saying he is not good for team principal dont really know what they talk about.
He achieved exactly what he wanted whit that spech, Honda just announced they have increased number of staff and reached pre exit numbers and also they sacrificed Moto gp projects to help F1.

They have probably done this in the months preceding Melbourne. This kind of change wouldn't happen in the span of a GP weekend so Newey's criticism's have not changed anything other than to make enemies.

the only enemies he made are all the rabid honda fans on the internet. you seriously think that honda are that weak and petty? sometimes its good to seperate facts from fantasies when you are online.

I'm not sure what "they" expected Newey to say? They're not gonna finish the first 2 races of the year. Everyone is gonna ask why? If he doesn't say it's cause of the vibrations ? what does he say? All this stuff about team principles having to be "politically correct" to be good Is BS. Horner gave Renault both barrels so many times it isn't funny.

[Otromundo]

I think no one tells the whole truth. But it doesn't surprise me, it seems normal in F1; that is one of its main charms. Information cannot be given away in a place where millions of dollars are involved and full of old foxes.

On the other hand, there are thousands of journalists, aspiring journalists, digital publications, influencers and all kinds of videos trying to capture interest in trending topics by resorting to despicable hooks. This is even worse than the band of cunning foxes in F1. It's garbage.

People are very anxious, but things take their time.

I am happy because I have a certain addiction to solving mysterious problems and/or understanding their explanation. In this case, I had no obvious clue, just the behavior of the car. My theories were related to hidden parts that are difficult to simply observe.

But thanks to our teammate Venkyhere, who reminded me that the exhaust and rear suspension mounts are there... now I have a specific point that can be observed with some comfort to notice changes. So I will focus on that part. I have thought a lot about the matter, Venkyhere

I will also be very attentive if someone on the team mentions capacitor or supercapacitor.

Maybe it is the accumulated experience following Fernando's adventures and I have gotten used to it. I am not worried, I think we will see gradual progress and that it will be a good car by the end of the season.

[ispano6]

Yes, vibration issue on MGU-K was something Honda is well aware in 2021. But back then placement of MGU-K motor was different. And now the vibration is affecting the batteries.

https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... es/04.webp
https://www.the-race.com/content/images ... it.jpg.jpg

No you're not understanding. Honda said 3 years ago that the 2026 PU will have even more vibrations than the 2022-2025 power units due to the change from 120 kW to up to 350 kW.

They mention this in the article they published in 2024
https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... wer_Units/

On the hardware side, large output MGU-Ks change a car’s vibration profile, so it is essential to ensure reliability to withstand the change. With the larger amounts of energy repeatedly stored in the ES and then used, development needs to focus on minimizing degradation of performance. With elimination of the MGU-H, highly efficient and effective energy management systems must also be developed when relying on the MGU-K alone.

In late January

“The specifications for the 2026 season are essentially fixed, and our current focus is on improving reliability ahead of homologation. However, there are many things you can only learn by installing the PU in a car and actually running it. That’s why winter testing—mounting it in a real car or one that’s very close to race conditions and confirming that everything operates properly—is an extremely important task, and that’s the stage we’re at now.”

Honda wanted the PU in the car ASAP, but the chassis was delayed. Had the car been ready in time to be on a track for even filming shakedown prior to Barcelona, some counter-measures could have been prepared before homologation. It is what it is.

[Rikrikrik]

My honest question is, despite this terrible start, will they be able to be competitive (points, maybe a podium) this year? Or will they be as awful as McLaren-Honda was for another 2 or 3 years?

[ispano6]

My honest question is, despite this terrible start, will they be able to be competitive (points, maybe a podium) this year? Or will they be as awful as McLaren-Honda was for another 2 or 3 years?

Why not just watch the season unfold? No one can predict 2-3 years who will be on top.
Don't expect anything. Just absorb it as it happens.

[Rikrikrik]

My honest question is, despite this terrible start, will they be able to be competitive (points, maybe a podium) this year? Or will they be as awful as McLaren-Honda was for another 2 or 3 years?

Why not just watch the season unfold? No one can predict 2-3 years who will be on top.
Don't expect anything. Just absorb it as it happens.

Yeah, its pretty obvious, i cant do nothing, just watch, but, every people here are discussin about a lot of posibilities about AM's problems, why they simple dont absorb what will happen too? I did a simple question about time and what people think about it.

[Seanspeed]

My honest question is, despite this terrible start, will they be able to be competitive (points, maybe a podium) this year? Or will they be as awful as McLaren-Honda was for another 2 or 3 years?

Even if they can manage some outright decent enough laptimes at some point, their big problem is gonna be that they cant actually RACE. Being so behind on the power unit makes overtaking and defending so enormously difficult.

Podium is almost certainly out of the question, but points could maybe on the cards at some point if Honda can make some tangible progress. Maybe if Monaco was one of the last races on the calendar. lol But even then, it's the longest race on the calendar, so that will be its own challenge.

[Leon Kennedy]

Yes, vibration issue on MGU-K was something Honda is well aware in 2021. But back then placement of MGU-K motor was different. And now the vibration is affecting the batteries.

https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... es/04.webp
https://www.the-race.com/content/images ... it.jpg.jpg

No you're not understanding. Honda said 3 years ago that the 2026 PU will have even more vibrations than the 2022-2025 power units due to the change from 120 kW to up to 350 kW.

They mention this in the article they published in 2024
https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... wer_Units/

On the hardware side, large output MGU-Ks change a car’s vibration profile, so it is essential to ensure reliability to withstand the change. With the larger amounts of energy repeatedly stored in the ES and then used, development needs to focus on minimizing degradation of performance. With elimination of the MGU-H, highly efficient and effective energy management systems must also be developed when relying on the MGU-K alone.

In late January

“The specifications for the 2026 season are essentially fixed, and our current focus is on improving reliability ahead of homologation. However, there are many things you can only learn by installing the PU in a car and actually running it. That’s why winter testing—mounting it in a real car or one that’s very close to race conditions and confirming that everything operates properly—is an extremely important task, and that’s the stage we’re at now.”

Honda wanted the PU in the car ASAP, but the chassis was delayed. Had the car been ready in time to be on a track for even filming shakedown prior to Barcelona, some counter-measures could have been prepared before homologation. It is what it is.

I don't think 2 more days in Barcelona would have changed things much. Just look at how the tests ended in Bahrain: the last 2 days were thrown away because there weren't even any spare parts.

My honest question is, despite this terrible start, will they be able to be competitive (points, maybe a podium) this year? Or will they be as awful as McLaren-Honda was for another 2 or 3 years?

Even if they can manage some outright decent enough laptimes at some point, their big problem is gonna be that they cant actually RACE. Being so behind on the power unit makes overtaking and defending so enormously difficult.

Podium is almost certainly out of the question, but points could maybe on the cards at some point if Honda can make some tangible progress. Maybe if Monaco was one of the last races on the calendar. lol But even then, it's the longest race on the calendar, so that will be its own challenge.

For me it all depends on Honda, if they can unlock the engine without losing reliability for me they are in the top 5, I have looked carefully at the cars and none are as worked as AM. We'll see in Japan where they say they might solve the vibration problem, although I have my doubts.

[CHT]

Yes, vibration issue on MGU-K was something Honda is well aware in 2021. But back then placement of MGU-K motor was different. And now the vibration is affecting the batteries.

https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... es/04.webp
https://www.the-race.com/content/images ... it.jpg.jpg

No you're not understanding. Honda said 3 years ago that the 2026 PU will have even more vibrations than the 2022-2025 power units due to the change from 120 kW to up to 350 kW.

They mention this in the article they published in 2024
https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... wer_Units/

On the hardware side, large output MGU-Ks change a car’s vibration profile, so it is essential to ensure reliability to withstand the change. With the larger amounts of energy repeatedly stored in the ES and then used, development needs to focus on minimizing degradation of performance. With elimination of the MGU-H, highly efficient and effective energy management systems must also be developed when relying on the MGU-K alone.

In late January

“The specifications for the 2026 season are essentially fixed, and our current focus is on improving reliability ahead of homologation. However, there are many things you can only learn by installing the PU in a car and actually running it. That’s why winter testing—mounting it in a real car or one that’s very close to race conditions and confirming that everything operates properly—is an extremely important task, and that’s the stage we’re at now.”

Honda wanted the PU in the car ASAP, but the chassis was delayed. Had the car been ready in time to be on a track for even filming shakedown prior to Barcelona, some counter-measures could have been prepared before homologation. It is what it is.

there are 3 main parts to the PU. The ICE, the MGU-K and the Battery. And only the ICE and MGU-K cause vibration.

Back in 2021, Honda mentioned vibration on ICE was a concern due to higher compression ratio of 18:1, however this is now less of an issue because CR has been reduced to 16:1.

In 2021, Honda also mentioned about the vibration of MGU-K, which is why they increase the rigidity of the housing. With 2026 regulation, I would suppose the MGU-K will be bigger, which mean more vibration than before.

AMR is the only team that is running such deep undercut which require relocation of MGU-K to other part of the engine. For this reason, AMR may be the only team that has got its MGU-K place inside the monocoque right next to the battery.

AMR reported that the vibration is affecting both battery and the ICE, so I assume the main source of the vibration problem has to come from MGU-K, not the ICE because ICE vibration doesnt affect the battery and battery doesnt vibrate on its own.

As for why Honda place its MGU-K next to the battery? I can only guess this is to enable AMR to have the deep undercut, which no other team are doing at the moment.

So is this Honda's fault? Yes and No

Yes, because they didnt anticipate or detected the vibration will be an issue when they were doing test at the factory. Perhaps due to the lack of chassis to run the test.

No, because the idea to relocate the MGU-K has to come from AMR, while no other team on the grid are doing the same, perhaps they were aware of the challenges.

AN is known for pushing the boundary and for this case, he may have gone a little too far and too late for the team to find a solution to fix the problem (if it can be fix at all). I suppose Honda must be going flat out on simulation test in the factory right now, and if they cant find a solution, then its likely they will have to relocate the MGU-K to the side of the engine, and AMR will have to redesign the chassis and suspension layout.

[SealTheRealDeal]

Yes, vibration issue on MGU-K was something Honda is well aware in 2021. But back then placement of MGU-K motor was different. And now the vibration is affecting the batteries.

https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... es/04.webp
https://www.the-race.com/content/images ... it.jpg.jpg

No you're not understanding. Honda said 3 years ago that the 2026 PU will have even more vibrations than the 2022-2025 power units due to the change from 120 kW to up to 350 kW.

They mention this in the article they published in 2024
https://global.honda/en/tech/motorsport ... wer_Units/

On the hardware side, large output MGU-Ks change a car’s vibration profile, so it is essential to ensure reliability to withstand the change. With the larger amounts of energy repeatedly stored in the ES and then used, development needs to focus on minimizing degradation of performance. With elimination of the MGU-H, highly efficient and effective energy management systems must also be developed when relying on the MGU-K alone.

In late January

“The specifications for the 2026 season are essentially fixed, and our current focus is on improving reliability ahead of homologation. However, there are many things you can only learn by installing the PU in a car and actually running it. That’s why winter testing—mounting it in a real car or one that’s very close to race conditions and confirming that everything operates properly—is an extremely important task, and that’s the stage we’re at now.”

Honda wanted the PU in the car ASAP, but the chassis was delayed. Had the car been ready in time to be on a track for even filming shakedown prior to Barcelona, some counter-measures could have been prepared before homologation. It is what it is.

there are 3 main parts to the PU. The ICE, the MGU-K and the Battery. And only the ICE and MGU-K cause vibration.

Back in 2021, Honda mentioned vibration on ICE was a concern due to higher compression ratio of 18:1, however this is now less of an issue because CR has been reduced to 16:1.

In 2021, Honda also mentioned about the vibration of MGU-K, which is why they increase the rigidity of the housing. With 2026 regulation, I would suppose the MGU-K will be bigger, which mean more vibration than before.

AMR is the only team that is running such deep undercut which require relocation of MGU-K to other part of the engine. For this reason, AMR may be the only team that has got its MGU-K place inside the monocoque right next to the battery.

AMR reported that the vibration is affecting both battery and the ICE, so I assume the main source of the vibration problem has to come from MGU-K, not the ICE because ICE vibration doesnt affect the battery and battery doesnt vibrate on its own.

As for why Honda place its MGU-K next to the battery? I can only guess this is to enable AMR to have the deep undercut, which no other team are doing at the moment.

So is this Honda's fault? Yes and No

Yes, because they didnt anticipate or detected the vibration will be an issue when they were doing test at the factory. Perhaps due to the lack of chassis to run the test.

No, because the idea to relocate the MGU-K has to come from AMR, while no other team on the grid are doing the same, perhaps they were aware of the challenges.

AN is known for pushing the boundary and for this case, he may have gone a little too far and too late for the team to find a solution to fix the problem (if it can be fix at all). I suppose Honda must be going flat out on simulation test in the factory right now, and if they cant find a solution, then its likely they will have to relocate the MGU-K to the side of the engine, and AMR will have to redesign the chassis and suspension layout.

The battery is attached to the chassis which is also attached to the engine. The engine is shaking the entire chassis, and by extension shaking the battery.