2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[3_12_14_16_22_33_81]

According to Andrew Benson (bbc) all of the Honda engineers from RB are back working for Honda and the expect 0.5 improvement from PU in Holland.

Yep, in terms of performance it is always kinda the same rumor, maybe no one knows.
But yes, engine is 1.5s slower today than others, so then they should be 1s, and by 2027 maybe only 0.5

Regarding the personnel there is no official confirmation about this. I can't even find any X post or article from Benson that claims this is the case. It's just the usual drivel from X

EDIT:

Ok it seems to have come from this Q+A article from the BBC Sport website.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/arti ... w1ypg102po

[TyreSlip]

IIf Alonso and Stroll take penalties for new batteries and MGU-Ks, does that starting grid penalty apply to sprint qualifying and race qualifying or just the latter?

[diffuser]

IIf Alonso and Stroll take penalties for new batteries and MGU-Ks, does that starting grid penalty apply to sprint qualifying and race qualifying or just the latter?

2026 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, Section B, Article B8.2.8:

B8.2.8 — if a driver uses more Power Unit elements than permitted under B8.2.2–B8.2.4, a grid-place penalty is imposed at the first Competition where the additional element is used.

B8.2.8(a): “The first time an additional element of each type is used: Ten (10) grid place penalty for the race.”

B8.2.8(b): “The next times an additional element of each type is used: Five (5) grid place penalty for the race.”

[TyreSlip]

IIf Alonso and Stroll take penalties for new batteries and MGU-Ks, does that starting grid penalty apply to sprint qualifying and race qualifying or just the latter?

2026 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, Section B, Article B8.2.8:

B8.2.8 — if a driver uses more Power Unit elements than permitted under B8.2.2–B8.2.4, a grid-place penalty is imposed at the first Competition where the additional element is used.

This is the part that is ambiguous. Is the sprint not a competition?

[etusch]

Yes. Either we have a genius, or this rule was written before sprint races were introduced.
Since there would be less point loss in sprints, everyone would plan penalties accordingly. So it should be applied in the main race.
qualifying will show us the performance anyway. A good sprint will show the race performance. Looking forward to see it

[karana]

IIf Alonso and Stroll take penalties for new batteries and MGU-Ks, does that starting grid penalty apply to sprint qualifying and race qualifying or just the latter?

2026 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, Section B, Article B8.2.8:

B8.2.8 — if a driver uses more Power Unit elements than permitted under B8.2.2–B8.2.4, a grid-place penalty is imposed at the first Competition where the additional element is used.

This is the part that is ambiguous. Is the sprint not a competition?

"Competition" refers to the entire race weekend:

Appendix A1, Definitions: “Competition” means a race meeting forming part of the Championship with its own results. A Competition
commences four hours before the first practice session is scheduled to start and ends at the deadline for
lodging a Protest under the ISC or the time when a technical or sporting certification has been carried out
pursuant to the ISC, whichever is later.

[FNTC]

Engine grid penalties should apply for the Sunday race and not the Sprint.

B8.2.8 says "the race" and they don't consider the sprint a "race".

a. The first time an additional element of each type is used: Ten (10) grid place penalty for the
race.
b. The next times an additional element of each type is used: Five (5) grid place penalty for the
race.

It happened to Max in Brazil in 2024, got penalty in the race, but not the sprint. https://www.motorsinside.com/en/f1/news ... -in-brazil

The FIA has just unveiled the list of new components installed on the single-seaters for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, and as announced earlier this week, Red Bull had to replace Max Verstappen’s engine block.

The installation of this 5th engine block automatically results in a 5-place grid penalty for the main race. Max Verstappen will therefore start with a handicap on Sunday.

[Waz]

202e3 style rain and Alonso on the podium please

[mzso]

I've said before that I believe they will use the 2nd ADUO. Everything I've posted about Asaki was published in his column a few days ago. No idea where you get the idea that I'm creating a fog of hope that they won't use the ADUO, your logic seems backwards. You don't seem to understand my diction. Honda intends to use the extra budget and dyno allowance the ADUO affords.

Because Honda already said they will not use the second ADUO upgrade this year.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why- ... /10833092/
All the engine manufacturers are focused on 2027, and Honda is too—and has been for longer. I hope and trust they started working on it as early as testing or even Australia.

That article is dated. Asaki in his latest column 2 days ago stated the young engineers will be tasked to continue developing the current year PU and utilize the ADUO allowance of extra spending and dyno time. Don't use motorsport's article as the end-all of what Honda is doing. They have two working groups developing the power units. Honda F1 website recently stated:

"With maturiy and updates, there is a possibility of shifts in the power landscape in the second half of the season, and the Dutch GP is expected to mark the beginning of that shift."

Motorsport refers to info released by Honda. Asaki is a retired person speculating about his former workplace.

[diffuser]

202e3 style rain and Alonso on the podium please

Fri 20° 69% "A couple of morning showers; otherwise, clouds followed by a brightening sky",Total Hours of Rain 1.5
Sat 19° 60% "A couple of morning showers; otherwise, partly sunny", Total Hours of Rain 1
Sun 20°  2% "Mostly sunny"

[Ashwinv16]

202e3 style rain and Alonso on the podium please

Fri 20° 69% "A couple of morning showers; otherwise, clouds followed by a brightening sky",Total Hours of Rain 1.5
Sat 19° 60% "A couple of morning showers; otherwise, partly sunny", Total Hours of Rain 1
Sun 20°  2% "Mostly sunny"

The forecast only shows the likely hood of a wet sprint race i suppose

[F1RAM]

Some are saying there won't be any penalties.. and there are updates to the Front wing and Floor.

[dr_cooke]

Orihara san: "We completed our program on the filming day without any problem". Rumors weren't true (or so says Orihara san)

[KimiRai]

[KimiRai]

Thought they were going to penalise as Honda's Zandvoort report mentioned changes to the electric side, but maybe those aren't hardware/parts? I might have been wrong then.

Autoracer say Honda will be 15HP at first and "intention is then to get to the 30hp initially planned, if reliability and performance confirm the data seen in development."