i dont know that it really matters how long it takes him to sign. i find it highly unlikely that he truely doesnt know if hes going to retire or not at this stage. i doubt that he would leave Aston waiting this long without any assurances given that he will probably continue to work with the team after he retires. what im saying is that i imagine that newey and stroll know what hes going to do at this point.the fact that theres been no motions from the team to possibly cover his seat, and no rumors out of the media that theyve talked to anyone make me think that they already know hes staying. normally there would be a dozen rumors by now about different drivers being contacted, but theres been nada. i could be wrong of course, just a feeling i get.TyreSlip wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 22:34If he had those assurances from Sakura, then there is no reason not to sign. The longer this is delayed, the more dire the situation IMO.KimiRai wrote: ↑06 Sep 2026, 22:25There were rumors that Alonso would renew in Madrid, but he has just confirmed to the press that it won't happen next week. I think he waits to see if both sides of the car are on the right direction, Hungary & Zandvoort was a check but he still needs guarantees from the PU side that it won't be as bad next year. Or a plan B in case it does not happen...
They should have done something they did just before the PU freeze (or was it the decision to leave F1?) last time, when they brought forward the update by one year. Instead they dawdle and set comfortable goals.Petebass wrote: ↑07 Sep 2026, 15:37There must be some fundamental problems with the concept and architecture of the 2026 engine that are preventing both normal operation and further development.
I think that after the winter testing, Honda basically started creating and developing the 2027 engine almost from zero, and that they have only used one ADUO upgrade this year, mainly related to combustion, as a test bed. I think we'll find out about this during the 2026 winter break.
I don't think they'll be fully prepared for 2027 either, because the other manufacturers will also improve, while Honda will almost be starting from the start. Perhaps by mid-2027 they could be in a position where they're only around 15 hp behind, at which point they could at least fight, but even that would be an optimistic scenario.
It's some stupid expired certification issue. Y̶o̶u̶ ̶c̶a̶n̶ ̶i̶m̶p̶o̶r̶t̶ ̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶e̶b̶s̶i̶t̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶c̶s̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶ ̶u̶s̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶t̶y̶l̶e̶ ̶v̶i̶a̶ ̶s̶t̶y̶l̶u̶s̶ ̶(̶o̶r̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶ ̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶t̶y̶l̶e̶ ̶a̶d̶d̶o̶n̶)̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶a̶p̶p̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶n̶o̶r̶m̶a̶l̶l̶y̶:̶ ̶h̶t̶t̶p̶s̶:̶/̶/̶f̶1̶t̶c̶d̶n̶.̶n̶e̶t̶/̶a̶s̶s̶e̶t̶s̶/̶c̶s̶s̶/̶s̶i̶t̶e̶.̶m̶i̶n̶.̶c̶s̶s̶?̶r̶v̶=̶2̶8̶
thats what the understanding has been, but then somebody reported that alonso was waiting on another upgrade from honda before he made up his mind the other day. i dont know if its supposed to be hardware or just a software change. seems like theyll be bringing software to every session though. (hopefully) so i thought it sounded like hardware.
What have you thought of Ferrari's upgrades? It's early to evaluate the 2nd one but the first one wasn't earth shattering. The 2nd one they enlarged the turbo cause it was undersized, not sure what else they did.zoroastar wrote: ↑07 Sep 2026, 23:14thats what the understanding has been, but then somebody reported that alonso was waiting on another upgrade from honda before he made up his mind the other day. i dont know if its supposed to be hardware or just a software change. seems like theyll be bringing software to every session though. (hopefully) so i thought it sounded like hardware.
could be BS too though.
if the cost cap is whats keeping them from bringing big updates, they should just blow through the cap and then threaten to quit if they thnk theyre gonna get penalized heavily. i know they wont do that though. if they are stuck at the back for the foreseeable future, what do they have to lose
Good stuff, thx.etusch wrote: ↑08 Sep 2026, 08:57News and technical analyses in the Japanese press revolve around the following main topics:
(ICE) Combustion Efficiency and Power Increase:
Speaking to the Japanese press, HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) engineers and track manager Shintaro Orihara stated that the main focus of the 2027 updates is the thermal efficiency and combustion chamber architecture of the ICE. With adjustments to the fuel flow rate and engine power balance, Honda is expected to take its biggest step forward in ICE performance by 2027.
Battery Technology and Solid-State Targets:
According to some technical rumors and reports in the Japanese media, Honda has moved the development of battery/MGU-K systems entirely from Europe to Japan (Sakura R&D center), focusing on advanced cell technologies and lightweight battery pack design. While the electric motor/ICE power distribution will be revised in 2027, Honda aims to achieve a leap in battery weight and charging efficiency.
2027 Competitiveness Expectations:
Japanese media is exhibiting cautious optimism for 2027. While acknowledging that it will be difficult to completely close the performance gap from 2026 in a single season, the major update package prepared by HRC for the first race of 2027 is considered to be "the first real step towards returning to the championship race." Industry analysts predict that podium and victory competition will be possible in 2027, and that full dominant form will be achieved around 2028.
Compiled with AI and translated with G Translate.
