2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[f1Follower]

I don't understand how Honda can be so poor after delivering very good engine under last regulations. They decided to leave F1 but then make a U turn however they should not have lost the know how of making a good Formula 1 engine

[delsando53]

In my view, if Aston Martin is looking for a realistic short-term fix, the most immediate gains will come from the control side rather than a full hardware redesign.

Optimising the software that manages shift timing, torque smoothing and MGU-K harvesting can significantly reduce shock loading through the gearbox. By refining shift maps, adjusting energy deployment and harvesting strategies, and carefully tuning shift profiles, torque ramp rates and regen control smoothing, the team can lower peak torque spikes that are likely overstressing internal components.

Alongside this, it would make sense to seek external expertise from established transmission specialists such as Xtrac Limited and Hewland Engineering, both of whom have deep experience in high-performance gearbox development and stress optimisation. Even if only in a consultancy capacity, their background in hybrid-era drivetrains could help refine durability and load management strategies.
Ricardo plc which supplies spec transmissions in high-level single-seater categories could offer advanced simulation, validation and structural analysis support.

A combined approach of immediate software harmonisation plus targeted external consultancy seems like the most pragmatic path before homologation locks in larger hardware constraints.

Btw Honda have the expertise to fix this engine issues, just how quickly are they able to react and will they be able to get assistance from their USA HRC department , it would be the closest to current engine of F1. The Honda HI22TT engine that is hybrid – IndyCar Engine

[diffuser]

Believe whoever wants. I dont believe.

https://i.postimg.cc/90XRYBnS/Captura-d ... 094022.png

Yeah I dont buy it either. There has been nothing but positive quotes from Honda and Japan but yet to see any sort of evidence of anything positive. When Watanabe said they were struggling, people said it was lost in translation moment. So I went back and looked at Honda quotes from 2015. Nothing but positive. They even said they believe they can compete with Mercedes.

But that hardly seems to be the only problem. Gearbox cant handle the power the engine does produce. They dont even know where they stand in terms of performance and other teams will have a massive head start on setup and strategy optimization.

Its actually impressive to be this much of a shambles when there are teams making their debut.

I'm not gonna say it's a lie. What I will say is it is unlikely, Why is it is unlikely???? Cause you don't know what you don't know. Since they have had so few laps in Practice, there is alot they don't know.

[Real PJ's Beard]

Wow. Testing is officially done for Aston. 2 hours 15 to go and they're packing up for Melbourne with just 6 laps done. Long fortnight ahead in Sakura and Silverstone

[dren]

Don't they still have a media day?

[basti313]

I don't understand how Honda can be so poor after delivering very good engine under last regulations. They decided to leave F1 but then make a U turn however they should not have lost the know how of making a good Formula 1 engine

I wonder if there was a background "leveling" of the engines when they introduced the new fuel. I am still astonished, that with this move all engines were more or less equal.

[BassVirolla]

Believe whoever wants. I dont believe.

https://i.postimg.cc/90XRYBnS/Captura-d ... 094022.png

Yeah I dont buy it either. There has been nothing but positive quotes from Honda and Japan but yet to see any sort of evidence of anything positive. When Watanabe said they were struggling, people said it was lost in translation moment. So I went back and looked at Honda quotes from 2015. Nothing but positive. They even said they believe they can compete with Mercedes.

But that hardly seems to be the only problem. Gearbox cant handle the power the engine does produce. They dont even know where they stand in terms of performance and other teams will have a massive head start on setup and strategy optimization.

Its actually impressive to be this much of a shambles when there are teams making their debut.

I'm not gonna say it's a lie. What I will say is it is unlikely, Why is it is unlikely???? Cause you don't know what you don't know. Since they have had so few laps in Practice, there is alot they don't know.

More than unlikely to:
- tear down,
- analyze data
- analyze engine
- design a new solution
- manufacturing of new parts
- assembly
- bench test & validation (taking for given that they get it right at first time)
- complete manufacturing of (at least!) two full engines.

If they are able to do so, my fascination for F1 processes would grow exponentially.

[Leon Kennedy]

Did AMR had a filming day this season?? I remember one scheduled but canceled.

Did they actually had a filming day so far??

AFAIK They are allowed to do 2 per season.

Did they did any? I don't remember.

If not.. probably they were afraid of the possibility that a situation like this may arise and maybe saved the filming days for testing new engine upgrades and fixes as late as possible.

EDIT: Even one filming day with 200km could be enough for validating most of the data on a new upgraded engine that has all the fixes.

They had one for Barcelona that was canceled, but they did one in Bahrain before the second week of testing. So there's only one shakedown left. I don't know how they'll do in Australia, let's hope so, they haven't even managed to do a qualifying or race simulation.

[Bisonas]

Did AMR had a filming day this season?? I remember one scheduled but canceled.

Did they actually had a filming day so far??

AFAIK They are allowed to do 2 per season.

Did they did any? I don't remember.

If not.. probably they were afraid of the possibility that a situation like this may arise and maybe saved the filming days for testing new engine upgrades and fixes as late as possible.

Even one filming day with 200km could be enough for validating most of the data on a new upgraded engine that has all the fixes.

They did it last Saturday, the 14th. I thought it was a good idea to pull it out of thin air to do as many laps as possible with the car. They only released a short, "artistic" video.

Today it's over 40°C in Bahrain, if I'm not mistaken. They have serious temperature and cooling problems, and that's why I think they chose to only race in the afternoon when the temperature drops. They don't have enough spare parts, which indicates that the temperature and cooling problems are significant.

I think they rushed things too much and were aware of this before the season even started. The team presentation, for example, reminded me of Eurovision: all staged. I didn't like it, although I thought perhaps it was the current trend in F1. I'm sure they all knew they would have problems. What they didn't know was that there would be so many.

We'll see what happens this afternoon.

I saw the short video and i thought it was just a promo thing.
The video doesn't show the car running on track at all, and i wasn't sure if that was an actual filming day or not.

[diffuser]

In my view, if Aston Martin is looking for a realistic short-term fix, the most immediate gains will come from the control side rather than a full hardware redesign.

Optimising the software that manages shift timing, torque smoothing and MGU-K harvesting can significantly reduce shock loading through the gearbox. By refining shift maps, adjusting energy deployment and harvesting strategies, and carefully tuning shift profiles, torque ramp rates and regen control smoothing, the team can lower peak torque spikes that are likely overstressing internal components.

Alongside this, it would make sense to seek external expertise from established transmission specialists such as Xtrac Limited and Hewland Engineering, both of whom have deep experience in high-performance gearbox development and stress optimisation. Even if only in a consultancy capacity, their background in hybrid-era drivetrains could help refine durability and load management strategies.
Ricardo plc which supplies spec transmissions in high-level single-seater categories could offer advanced simulation, validation and structural analysis support.

A combined approach of immediate software harmonisation plus targeted external consultancy seems like the most pragmatic path before homologation locks in larger hardware constraints.

Btw Honda have the expertise to fix this engine issues, just how quickly are they able to react and will they be able to get assistance from their USA HRC department , it would be the closest to current engine of F1. The Honda HI22TT engine that is hybrid – IndyCar Engine

Xtrac Limited in F1, may supply:
Precision-manufactured gears
Specialized machining
Subcomponents

I don't think Hewland is in that game anymore.

Like I said a few pages back, AM F1 went out and hired Merc's head of gearboxs on March 2025. So they should have the correct people there. Maybe it's just been tight time wise?

[SSJ4]

Newey said the car in Australia would be a lot different to shakedown and testing.
so hopefully honda can get the new engine in time for the race. Then maybe we could see how much potential the package has in qualy.
In race trim it has no chance of lasting

[LemonLife33]

Honestly, feels like 2015 all over again. It just sad. Did Honda really lose all the key staff and IP to Red Bull Powertrains? Is that confirmed?

If so, Honda must be the most poorly managed team in history. Last time they sold to Brawn for $1, which won the next season and became the Mercedes powerhouse for years after.

How on earth does this happen again?

And I haven't discussed the rampan leaving F1 and entering again story that follows 2009 (sold to Brawn) and then 2021. Unreal!

Crossing every finger and toe that they are sandbagging!

[f1Follower]

Newey said the car in Australia would be a lot different to shakedown and testing.
so hopefully honda can get the new engine in time for the race. Then maybe we could see how much potential the package has in qualy.
In race trim it has no chance of lasting

In Redbull Newey was left to design and develop the car with Horner looking after day to day operations. Now Newey may be wearing both the hats and as a designer may be biased as to what is pragmatically achievable

[Leon Kennedy]

In my view, if Aston Martin is looking for a realistic short-term fix, the most immediate gains will come from the control side rather than a full hardware redesign.

Optimising the software that manages shift timing, torque smoothing and MGU-K harvesting can significantly reduce shock loading through the gearbox. By refining shift maps, adjusting energy deployment and harvesting strategies, and carefully tuning shift profiles, torque ramp rates and regen control smoothing, the team can lower peak torque spikes that are likely overstressing internal components.

Alongside this, it would make sense to seek external expertise from established transmission specialists such as Xtrac Limited and Hewland Engineering, both of whom have deep experience in high-performance gearbox development and stress optimisation. Even if only in a consultancy capacity, their background in hybrid-era drivetrains could help refine durability and load management strategies.
Ricardo plc which supplies spec transmissions in high-level single-seater categories could offer advanced simulation, validation and structural analysis support.

A combined approach of immediate software harmonisation plus targeted external consultancy seems like the most pragmatic path before homologation locks in larger hardware constraints.

Btw Honda have the expertise to fix this engine issues, just how quickly are they able to react and will they be able to get assistance from their USA HRC department , it would be the closest to current engine of F1. The Honda HI22TT engine that is hybrid – IndyCar Engine

Xtrac Limited in F1, may supply:
Precision-manufactured gears
Specialized machining
Subcomponents

I don't think Hewland is in that game anymore.

Like I said a few pages back, AM F1 went out and hired Merc's head of gearboxs on March 2025. So they should have the correct people there. Maybe it's just been tight time wise?

At the moment, since they have confirmed that the problem is the PU (not just ICE), we can only have guesses about the gearbox, so paradoxically it could even work fine. They're bringing a new car to Melbourne, with an engine Honda claims is better in terms of performance and reliability. Consider, too, that they should have brought this specification to Bahrain.

I'm just saying that Barcelona (this year Alonso Lands), hopefully, will do well and have the race he deserves. The greatest injustice is this, a phenomenal driver forced to fight at the back.

[emp]

Just a reminder this isn't the engine Honda will be racing with. They still haven't homologated their engines and the final engine and battery spec will only be fitted in Melbourne. There will be reliability issues but Honda is calming by then the engine will be 90% reliable. So lets see.

I am willing to make a bet that the engine will be *that* bad this year. If they have so many small problems, you can't tell anyone that the engine will be good next month when this month is extremely underwhelming.

Development doesn't happen over night in F1 and no sane manufacturer goes to limited testing with their lesser spec engine because track testing is invaluable. Ask Honda and their oil pump.

We don't know much, Could even be a fuel problem.

Aged badly.

Sadly for F1, Honda is again underprepared. I didn't think that Newey can turn a whole organisation overnight into a winner, but a repeat of 2015 considering that Honda had a good engine in 2025 is inexcusable for me.