2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[Rodak]

Isn't the firing order fixed by regulation? Someone mentioned something like that before here.

Doubtful. From the 2026 Technical Regulations:

5.12 Ignition systems
5.12.1 Ignition is only permitted by means of a single ignition coil and single spark plug per cylinder.
No more than one spark per cylinder per engine cycle are permitted.
5.12.2 Only conventional spark plugs that function by electrical potential discharge across an
exposed gap are permitted.
Spark plugs are not subject to the materials restrictions described in Articles 15.7 and 15.8.
5.12.3 The spark energy per ignition is limited to a maximum of 120.0mJ

[diffuser]

Isn't the firing order fixed by regulation? Someone mentioned something like that before here.

Doubtful. From the 2026 Technical Regulations:

5.12 Ignition systems
5.12.1 Ignition is only permitted by means of a single ignition coil and single spark plug per cylinder.
No more than one spark per cylinder per engine cycle are permitted.
5.12.2 Only conventional spark plugs that function by electrical potential discharge across an
exposed gap are permitted.
Spark plugs are not subject to the materials restrictions described in Articles 15.7 and 15.8.
5.12.3 The spark energy per ignition is limited to a maximum of 120.0mJ

Think the regs dictate a 120 degree crankpins, that then fixes firing order. Nobody is gonna fire when the piston is not in the vicinity of top dead center.

[Rodak]

Isn't the firing order fixed by regulation? Someone mentioned something like that before here.

Doubtful. From the 2026 Technical Regulations:

5.12 Ignition systems
5.12.1 Ignition is only permitted by means of a single ignition coil and single spark plug per cylinder.
No more than one spark per cylinder per engine cycle are permitted.
5.12.2 Only conventional spark plugs that function by electrical potential discharge across an
exposed gap are permitted.
Spark plugs are not subject to the materials restrictions described in Articles 15.7 and 15.8.
5.12.3 The spark energy per ignition is limited to a maximum of 120.0mJ

Think the regs dictate a 120 degree crankpins, that then fixes firing order. Nobody is gonna fire when the piston is not in the vicinity of top dead center.

Of course not, but there are still various firing orders as each piston goes up and down twice in the cycle. Some firing orders would not be so good though....

[BassVirolla]

Isn't the firing order fixed by regulation? Someone mentioned something like that before here.

Doubtful. From the 2026 Technical Regulations:

5.12 Ignition systems
5.12.1 Ignition is only permitted by means of a single ignition coil and single spark plug per cylinder.
No more than one spark per cylinder per engine cycle are permitted.
5.12.2 Only conventional spark plugs that function by electrical potential discharge across an
exposed gap are permitted.
Spark plugs are not subject to the materials restrictions described in Articles 15.7 and 15.8.
5.12.3 The spark energy per ignition is limited to a maximum of 120.0mJ

Think the regs dictate a 120 degree crankpins, that then fixes firing order. Nobody is gonna fire when the piston is not in the vicinity of top dead center.

This gives 90+150+90+150+90+150 degree firing spacing, but:

Maybe I'm wrong, but you could arrange "big bangs" (a.k.a. short degrees spacing) in same pair of cylinders, in the same crank pin, or in alternate crank pins.

Probably, the vibrating pattern wouod be totally different.

Back in the McL days, Wazari stated something pointing to firing order changes.

[diffuser]

Doubtful. From the 2026 Technical Regulations:

Think the regs dictate a 120 degree crankpins, that then fixes firing order. Nobody is gonna fire when the piston is not in the vicinity of top dead center.

This gives 90+150+90+150+90+150 degree firing spacing, but:

Maybe I'm wrong, but you could arrange "big bangs" (a.k.a. short degrees spacing) in same pair of cylinders, in the same crank pin, or in alternate crank pins.

Probably, the vibrating pattern wouod be totally different.

Back in the McL days, Wazari stated something pointing to firing order changes.

Yeah, I'm wrong. The regs don't say it. It could be even or odd firing with shared of split crankpins. If you have a good enough ear, you can hear the difference between even and odd firing. I don't.

[BassVirolla]

Think the regs dictate a 120 degree crankpins, that then fixes firing order. Nobody is gonna fire when the piston is not in the vicinity of top dead center.

This gives 90+150+90+150+90+150 degree firing spacing, but:

Maybe I'm wrong, but you could arrange "big bangs" (a.k.a. short degrees spacing) in same pair of cylinders, in the same crank pin, or in alternate crank pins.

Probably, the vibrating pattern wouod be totally different.

Back in the McL days, Wazari stated something pointing to firing order changes.

Yeah, I'm wrong. The regs don't say it. It could be even or odd firing with shared of split crankpins. If you have a good enough ear, you can hear the difference between even and odd firing. I don't.

I very much doubt split pins in any racing application, because of structural rigidity and weight.

[vorticism]

As is often pointed out, it took four years for RBR to become a top team. We are in year one of Newey at AMR. I was half expecting quicker turnaround, owing to AMR’s budget and supposedly excellent facilities. That said, RBR started during a stable engine formula, with engines from an established engine makers, at a time when the engine formula was much simpler and provided engine parity.

If Honda really do use motorsport as a proving-ground for junior engineers, that would explain why they’re starting from scratch again. Nothing wrong with that, it makes sense from a certain perspective. Motorsport is optional and not always profitable. So they use it as a university and not so much as an advertisement. Whether or not AMR were aware of this, is a question. Newey suggested they werent’ aware of this, although maybe they did and that was just Newey saving face. If AMR see their rejuvination as taking several years, then they might actually have been okay with Honda starting from scratch again.

How could AMR have assessed in either case? They observe facilites? Sure. They observe preliminary results? Sure. They audit/assess the staffing? I doubt that.

In any case, what choice did AMR have?

Ferrari: an Aston Martin Ferrari would have been a conflict of interest even moreso than an Aston Martin Honda or a Cadillac Ferrari?
RBPT: I suppose the entire point of RBPT was to keep everything in-house to avoid repeating a 2014 scenario, thus leaving no interesting in selling engines to outsiders. Any other reasons?
Mercedes: seems like it would have been a no-brainer, they were already a supplier to AMR; are AMR saving money with Honda’s offer? If so, does that not explain everything?
Audi: what would have stopped this? Might have made sense in terms of marketing. AM road cars have used Mercedes engines and could also use Audi engines to good effect.

[Honda Porsche fan]

https://shigasports.com/f1/aston-martin ... interview/

DeepL translation:

[Japanese GP] HRC President Watanabe discusses Aston Martin and Honda: Vibration issues, struggles and the possibility of a Japanese driver
F1 Grand Prix · F1 Teams · F1 News · Aston Martin · Honda F1 · Japanese GP
Shiga Sports
26 March 2026
[Japanese GP] Aston Martin × Honda: The Current State of Reliability Issues and the Possibility of Fielding a Japanese Driver

At the Japanese Grand Prix media day, Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), gave an interview.

He stated that he does not perceive any issues regarding communication and respects the team’s decisions, believing that such judgements should be made by the team itself.
Will developments in Honda’s core business (EV-related) affect its F1 activities?

Whilst there would naturally be an impact if the core business were to falter, he explained that, at present, they have been sent off with the message: ‘We want you to deliver solid results.’

He added that Honda has shown understanding of the situation on the F1 side and has told them: ‘Please carry on without worrying about us.’ Against this backdrop, he said the Sakura team members feel reassured as they tackle the races.
Had Aston been informed in advance of Honda’s changes to its F1 structure?

Whilst acknowledging that there may have been some misunderstandings amidst the redistribution of personnel across racing, mass production and EV development, they explained that the return of the fourth-generation members had never been planned from the outset.

On the other hand, they admitted to delays in recruitment and revealed that, after concluding the project in 2024, personnel had been transferred to carbon neutrality and cutting-edge fields.

He also reflected that in 2022, the number of engineers and the budget were smaller than those of other teams, but emphasised that Aston Martin had been fully informed of this situation and that there was no concealment of information. He stated that they are now working with a team comprising the right people for the job.
Were the results of the first two races within expectations?

He stated that his frank assessment is that they are struggling more than anticipated.

Although he had been confident in the power unit’s maturity during the partnership with Red Bull, he said he had braced himself for a certain degree of difficulty due to the transition to a new partnership and new regulations.

Nevertheless, he explained that the extent of the reliability issues has exceeded expectations and that the team is in a difficult situation. However, he indicated that he can see what needs to be done next and did not appear pessimistic on that point.
Is HRC’s F1 operation an independent entity?

Whilst it is not entirely clear whether it is completely independent, he stated that they are currently working towards that direction.

Currently, they are building the structure whilst referencing examples from other manufacturers, and expressed their intention to strengthen the F1 project, using Audi in particular as a benchmark.
Is there a possibility of appointing a Japanese driver?

He explained that, as they do not currently own a team, it is inevitable that they do not have the final say on drivers, but that they are in a position to exchange views with their partners.

Therefore, he said it is possible to make recommendations along the lines of ‘What do you think?’, and expressed a desire to build a relationship with Aston Martin where such discussions can take place in the future.

Above, the Honda president admits their restructuring process and how many F1 engineers were removed off their F1 program and sent over to their EV program and manufacturing.

He admitted their F1 engine program in budget and staff was much smaller than other teams.

He also said Honda/HRC is in the process of making their F1 engine program/department more independent and run like other teams like Audi, which should be good for continuity and consistency. I hope they learn from both Mercedes and Audi. This is good news if true.

[diffuser]

https://shigasports.com/f1/aston-martin ... interview/

DeepL translation:

[Japanese GP] HRC President Watanabe discusses Aston Martin and Honda: Vibration issues, struggles and the possibility of a Japanese driver
F1 Grand Prix · F1 Teams · F1 News · Aston Martin · Honda F1 · Japanese GP
Shiga Sports
26 March 2026
[Japanese GP] Aston Martin × Honda: The Current State of Reliability Issues and the Possibility of Fielding a Japanese Driver

At the Japanese Grand Prix media day, Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), gave an interview.

He stated that he does not perceive any issues regarding communication and respects the team’s decisions, believing that such judgements should be made by the team itself.
Will developments in Honda’s core business (EV-related) affect its F1 activities?

Whilst there would naturally be an impact if the core business were to falter, he explained that, at present, they have been sent off with the message: ‘We want you to deliver solid results.’

He added that Honda has shown understanding of the situation on the F1 side and has told them: ‘Please carry on without worrying about us.’ Against this backdrop, he said the Sakura team members feel reassured as they tackle the races.
Had Aston been informed in advance of Honda’s changes to its F1 structure?

Whilst acknowledging that there may have been some misunderstandings amidst the redistribution of personnel across racing, mass production and EV development, they explained that the return of the fourth-generation members had never been planned from the outset.

On the other hand, they admitted to delays in recruitment and revealed that, after concluding the project in 2024, personnel had been transferred to carbon neutrality and cutting-edge fields.

He also reflected that in 2022, the number of engineers and the budget were smaller than those of other teams, but emphasised that Aston Martin had been fully informed of this situation and that there was no concealment of information. He stated that they are now working with a team comprising the right people for the job.
Were the results of the first two races within expectations?

He stated that his frank assessment is that they are struggling more than anticipated.

Although he had been confident in the power unit’s maturity during the partnership with Red Bull, he said he had braced himself for a certain degree of difficulty due to the transition to a new partnership and new regulations.

Nevertheless, he explained that the extent of the reliability issues has exceeded expectations and that the team is in a difficult situation. However, he indicated that he can see what needs to be done next and did not appear pessimistic on that point.
Is HRC’s F1 operation an independent entity?

Whilst it is not entirely clear whether it is completely independent, he stated that they are currently working towards that direction.

Currently, they are building the structure whilst referencing examples from other manufacturers, and expressed their intention to strengthen the F1 project, using Audi in particular as a benchmark.
Is there a possibility of appointing a Japanese driver?

He explained that, as they do not currently own a team, it is inevitable that they do not have the final say on drivers, but that they are in a position to exchange views with their partners.

Therefore, he said it is possible to make recommendations along the lines of ‘What do you think?’, and expressed a desire to build a relationship with Aston Martin where such discussions can take place in the future.

Above, the Honda president admits their restructuring process and how many F1 engineers were removed off their F1 program and sent over to their EV program and manufacturing.

He admitted their F1 engine program in budget and staff was much smaller than other teams.

He also said Honda/HRC is in the process of making their F1 engine program/department more independent and run like other teams like Audi, which should be good for continuity and consistency. I hope they learn from both Mercedes and Audi. This is good news if true.

Thx FNTC for tge link and thx Honda Porsche fan for tge additional translation.

[Rikrikrik]

Like as expected, the vibrations still there and still the same. What surprise. Onboard cameras are scare to watch

[Ashwinv16]

Like as expected, the vibrations still there and still the same. What surprise. Onboard cameras are scare to watch

see Jak Crawford's onboard at the steering. Its much less. he is running the newer engine. Stroll is'nt yet.

[Rikrikrik]

Like as expected, the vibrations still there and still the same. What surprise. Onboard cameras are scare to watch

see Jak Crawford's onboard at the steering. Its much less. he is running the newer engine. Stroll is'nt yet.

I saw, but, honetly i didnt see difference

[vas_04614]

Jak said vibrations are there but whether there is proper improvement over last race we have to wait I guess

[Ashwinv16]

Alonso has some sort of wiring (blue color) on his steering wheel line.

[etusch]

And how do you think a gearbox would generate such intense vibrations that it rattles the entire car? Something so messed up would destroy itself almost instantly and never leave the lab.

And how do you think an engine would generate such intense vibrations that it rattles the entire car? Something so messed up would destroy itself almost instantly and never leave the lab.

And yet, here we are. Clearly something very odd has happened in integration of the whole (engine / gearbox / chassis), that made some expected vibrations (?) a whole lot worse. Bear in mind Aston engineers have been over in Japan for some time as well, working on this, and it seems that there's no easy solution.

The only other explanation I can think of is that one of the parties (probably Honda-side) is playing down their problems and not fully admitting to how bad things were, but I don't think that's the case.

The engine is the source of power... With large heavy parts. And it always vibrates. In this case far too much.
My guess is during downsizing, they thought they could get away with increased vibrations. But it turned out to be very much impactful. Or they messed up something really badly when trying to catch up to their targets.

It sounds ever more like a Honda problem. With Newey frankly saying that Honda was falling behind and not even open about it with AM. And now Cowell being stationed there.

Because of AN fame people thinks that he can not make mistakes. But it is simply not true. He made a big mistake and Redbull still could not make it work. He changed winning car. While this engine quite similer basically to previous one I tend to see issue on what is different compared to previous one.