2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[Jaymz]

Well, as is almost normal with any new team, they apparently have a serious organizational problem. It partly surprises me that it happens at those levels, I did not expect it. But apparently things are the way they are.

The chassis that they should have taken to Austria to hang it up, put a bunch of sensors on it, and figure out where the hell the vibrations are coming from (apart from other delikatessen, I imagine) ... apparently ... part of it (I suppose the engine without the chassis) is in Japan undergoing tests. I would like to know if they took an extra chassis to Suzuka for Honda and also if HRC can do anything.

As for the ICE engine, I think they are breaking it in without forcing it due to the vibrations in order not to worsen the situation, simply. In reality, we don't know much about the character of the engine yet.

Another organizational problem has been determining Newey's responsibilities. They overdid it: too many people and tasks under his charge. Luckily, they seem to have realized it.

Even though Anderson's video devoted the second part to general topics, it clarified a lot of things about AMR for me too. It has also helped me understand the current situation by talking about the challenges and problems of the other teams. It is a very complicated regulation and there is also a lot of background noise. Except probably MB, everyone else has some kind of problem.

The mess with the engine compression will stay where it is. The exact measurement of the variations of the aerodynamic elements in motion to transfer that data to the CFD (in this case to CoreWeaver, which seems amazing to me) seems hyper-complex. We’ll see if CoreWeaver can really provide something important in F1 design, I hope so. he says some other very interesting things, but the previous ones are what I remember most.

It is assumed that if the source of the vibrations were the gearbox, then they would be low-frequency, although Honda seems to think otherwise. Although they may refer to the complete cassette including the rear suspension mounts.
It is also assumed that the cause of the high-frequency vibrations that seem to affect the car should be the MGU.

We’ll see how things progress.

Honda did say the vibrations aren't a problem for the PU itself(except the batteries). I'm hoping they start to crank it up in Miami now that they found a solution for the drivers.

On uncharted F1 he said Honda don't run the MGU-K for more than 5 seconds at a time, part of their performance problems.

Since when are the batteries not part of the PU. This is a fundamental PU problem as a whole.

[diffuser]

Honda did say the vibrations aren't a problem for the PU itself(except the batteries). I'm hoping they start to crank it up in Miami now that they found a solution for the drivers.

On uncharted F1 he said Honda don't run the MGU-K for more than 5 seconds at a time, part of their performance problems.

Since when are the batteries not part of the PU. This is a fundamental PU problem as a whole.

I just thought it was obvious that the batteries had issues. They have a workaround for the batteries now too.

[Otromundo]

I was part of AMF1 until late 2024, since the late Force India times, and I can say that I’m not surprised by the actual situation and probably everybody I know in the team saw this coming.

The leadership in the group overseeing all the chassis and PU is an absolute disgrace, and everyone blaming now Newey or Cowell doesn’t really understand how a big Formula One team works, as they had personnel supposedly competent in dealing with the PU development matters.

I wouldn't be surprised if new leadership movements in that area of the team will happen in the next months as I doubt Honda alone is to blame and I’m sure Newey and Cardile would like some answers on what the team was doing before their arrival, as this is an embarrassment to everyone involved.

I'm sorry, Toyotaworn. But when something catches my attention, I'm interested. You only have 5 messages and it has been easy. You really caught my attention with the last one. So...

I have always thought that the best thing would be to have someone from the team tell us the real reality. Not for gossip, simply to be involved in the matter.

It seems that the team simply has money to spare and has chosen its members whimsically.

I think they played randomly and it went wrong. Everything is new, everything is completely new... and they have been unlucky.

What do you really think about the whole matter? Could it be luck? Is it until they make the necessary changes? When do you think? And above all: how?

P.S.: It is not my intention to contravene in any way the forum rules, I am simply asking another participant about their opinion regarding something directly related to the forum.

[zoroastar]

Question is where do they go from here. To wait for new engine which will take months, or to design a new chassis that will help reduce the vibration. I think AMR must have been testing all sort of different ideas both on engine and chassis over the past 3 races hoping it will help fix the problem. Unfortunately with this unfortunate long break, they will fewer races for testing. Hope this is for the better.

They said they have the vibrations fixed for the batteries, now also for the drivers for the next race. The ICE and MGU-K aren't effected by the vibrations. Next step is turn up the power on the PU.

During Friday practice there was no vibrations, Honda implemented temporary fix which could not be raced during the
quali and race due to reliability issues.
So coming next race Miami, no vibrations. however still unknown are

- is the chassis overweight.
- is the engine in par with the other manufacturers

pretty sure both of those have been answered by the team. its just to what extent the car is overweight, and to how much the PU is down on power. im pretty sure that i remember them saying that the PU is overweight as well before the season started. under normal circumstances there wouldve been a game plan by the team to reduce the weight over the course of the season. im wondering if that plans been complicated by added weight to fix vibrations, or complicated by the lack of running time.
honda newey and alonso have all made comments about the power not being where it needs to be even when the vibrations are gone. but hopefully theyll all be wrong...

[mzso]

Realistically there are only a couple of places where such vibrations can originate. Its either than MGU-K or the turbo.

Two parts that don't vibrate at all, unless they're broken.

that wasn't me that wrote that.

Messed up the quote, sorry. It was meant to be this:

Realistically there are only a couple of places where such vibrations can originate. Its either than MGU-K or the turbo.

[CHT]

Is Honda double stacking battery design different to those of other teams?

[Nikosar]

Alpine scored points at every GP so far.
Mercedes PU suggest they can unlock more potential.

Just saying., maybe someone can end the career next year and battling for podium.

[Jaymz]

Honda did say the vibrations aren't a problem for the PU itself(except the batteries). I'm hoping they start to crank it up in Miami now that they found a solution for the drivers.

On uncharted F1 he said Honda don't run the MGU-K for more than 5 seconds at a time, part of their performance problems.

Since when are the batteries not part of the PU. This is a fundamental PU problem as a whole.

I just thought it was obvious that the batteries had issues. They have a workaround for the batteries now too.

A workaround to finish last - garbage. The next few years are doomed for AM unless they dump this useless Honda trash into the north sea. Imagine the uproar if any other team had missed so much running time. Well, we don't have to imagine because Williams and McLaren missed a few days and it was game over according to some. Now apply that to the reality of the AM position. Newey is not a magician, there isn't anything he can do to come back from this. I find it amazing that any team trusted Honda to make a new PU by themselves.

[diffuser]

Since when are the batteries not part of the PU. This is a fundamental PU problem as a whole.

I just thought it was obvious that the batteries had issues. They have a workaround for the batteries now too.

A workaround to finish last - garbage. The next few years are doomed for AM unless they dump this useless Honda trash into the north sea. Imagine the uproar if any other team had missed so much running time. Well, we don't have to imagine because Williams and McLaren missed a few days and it was game over according to some. Now apply that to the reality of the AM position. Newey is not a magician, there isn't anything he can do to come back from this. I find it amazing that any team trusted Honda to make a new PU by themselves.

Well, they'll have a workaround for both the batteries and the drivers for Miami. We'll see if they can turn up the wick then.

I’ve been down that road. The responsibility is shared. Even if the vibration is solely on Honda, the AMR26 was so late that it gave Honda no time to test the PU on the chassis. In future years, once they’ve straightened this out, they won’t have this issue, and future AMR## cars won’t face it either—even if they’re late. This year, though, with Honda being new to AMF1 GP, Newey joining late, delays on multiple fronts, the new regulations, and AMF1 Gp/Honda being the sole PU partnership for Honda, it created a perfect storm.

[peewon]

Two parts that don't vibrate at all, unless they're broken.

It resonates the vibrations and that becomes a problem due to its location. If you google "MGU-K vibrations" you'll get a variety of sources ranging from Italian F1 media to Gary Anderson and other tech youtubers alluding to the same thing.

FYI from Honda's own page about their McHonda engine:

The MGU-K also had issues due to the drive gear train being moved from the rear to the front, causing resonance....

These problems included lubrication issues due to the new shape of the oil tank which sacrificed space due to the compressor protruding forward, lack of durability of the shaft connecting the compressor and turbine, and with the layout change, resonance caused by the MGU-K.

[ispano6]

Two parts that don't vibrate at all, unless they're broken.

It resonates the vibrations and that becomes a problem due to its location. If you google "MGU-K vibrations" you'll get a variety of sources ranging from Italian F1 media to Gary Anderson and other tech youtubers alluding to the same thing.

FYI from Honda's own page about their McHonda engine:

The MGU-K also had issues due to the drive gear train being moved from the rear to the front, causing resonance....

These problems included lubrication issues due to the new shape of the oil tank which sacrificed space due to the compressor protruding forward, lack of durability of the shaft connecting the compressor and turbine, and with the layout change, resonance caused by the MGU-K.

You'd think Aston Martin would have learned from McLaren's failure. Or more like the Honda haters trying to always spin it on them.

[TyreSlip]

You'd think Aston Martin would have learned from McLaren's failure. Or more like the Honda haters trying to always spin it on them.

The layout of the Aston Martin is not the reason the Honda engine is down over 100bph. Honda's philosophy of putting inexperienced engineers in positions for a new project is detrimental in a sport as competitive and high pedigree as F1. You think Honda would have learned by now.

[dr_cooke]

You'd think Aston Martin would have learned from McLaren's failure. Or more like the Honda haters trying to always spin it on them.

The layout of the Aston Martin is not the reason the Honda engine is down over 100bph. Honda's philosophy of putting inexperienced engineers in positions for a new project is detrimental in a sport as competitive and high pedigree as F1. You think Honda would have learned by now.

They've learned. They just want it that way. It's their philosophy and, for them , it works.

[diffuser]

You'd think Aston Martin would have learned from McLaren's failure. Or more like the Honda haters trying to always spin it on them.

The layout of the Aston Martin is not the reason the Honda engine is down over 100bph. Honda's philosophy of putting inexperienced engineers in positions for a new project is detrimental in a sport as competitive and high pedigree as F1. You think Honda would have learned by now.

I don't want to defend Honda but how do you know how much horse power Honda PU is down on everyone else when they've never run it at full power?

[TyreSlip]

You'd think Aston Martin would have learned from McLaren's failure. Or more like the Honda haters trying to always spin it on them.

The layout of the Aston Martin is not the reason the Honda engine is down over 100bph. Honda's philosophy of putting inexperienced engineers in positions for a new project is detrimental in a sport as competitive and high pedigree as F1. You think Honda would have learned by now.

I don't want to defend Honda but how do you know how much horse power Honda PU is down on everyone else when they've never run it at full power?

SSJ4 posted that some in the paddock put the Honda engine down by 100kW or 136bph, and several Aston Martin team members already said they would not pickup anywhere near as much people think they would at full power.

Whether the real deficit is 80, 100, or 120bhp at full power... Aston Martin is not responsible for the significant power gap, and I am tired of apologists reframing that the Honda organisation is a hapless victim because Newey made some requests with the architectural layout that may or may not be contributing to the present vibrations.