2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[Badger]

Just watched the onboard from FP2. The car is shaking to bits, felt like I was getting nerve damage just by watching, and that is with the engine turned down massively. It doesn't look like they are harvesting much at all. I don't understand how this was not discovered on the dyno, it must have been.

[FNTC]

And running with more fuel to dampen vibrarions

[ispano6]

This is a new challenge, with new limitations that didn't exist before, with regulations that prohibit the use of technology that was Honda's strong points (their combustion and telemetry systems). For Honda, the race track is the laboratory. This issue they are dealing with is new to them. It is not the ICE that is breaking itself. It is damage to the batteries. The batteries are also a new design, they are not the same as before. They have been designed with different throughput demands. Does the engine run? Sounds like it. Does the car charge? Seems like it is. Is it optimized for Quali? Not yet, they will gradually work toward that. Engineering and development requires a methodical approach that requires precision and analysis. This is a challenge they need to overcome and it will translate directly into a learning for their technology chest. Are there dangers such that they need to be precautious in the way they operate the PU? Absolutely.

It seems that AMR was not initially prepared to coordinate as a Honda "works" team after having been a customer team of MB for so long. Being a Honda works team isn't the same as having everything "in-house" like how Merc, Ferrari, Audi and RB are able to enjoy as true works outfits. Or perhaps the initial figures who were involved in discuss with Honda were, but the reshuffling broke that mutual understanding. If I were Koji Watanabe, I would get Tanabe re-instated back into F1 if he hasn't retired. If Motohashi Masamitsu and chief mechanic Makoto Yoshino are also available, they should come back. Not because who they have now are insufficient, but because these are the faces that have the respect in the paddock and their decision making has more weight. I want the young engineers there to learn too, but with the steadiness of someone like Tanabe there to keep them focused on the task at hand.

A nice perspective from Tanabe himself at the end of 2025.
https://global.honda/en/F1/redbull/honda-voice/voice2/

On the other hand, Red Bull also had a very friendly side. While they were strict about technology, there was a sense of unity that emerged when we shared the common goal of winning. This unity was both the technical and as teammates sense, and I found the work tough, but very enjoyable.

Through working with Red Bull, Honda was able to learn much. As an engineer, there were certainly many technical details to learn, but more importantly, I was reminded of the importance of pushing to the limit and persevering. In pursuing victory, what specifically does “committed to winning” mean? One commitment is to think problems through relentlessly, and I believe I was reminded of this. I believe that Honda’s young engineers and track-side staff have also gained a lot from this mindset.

The perspective from Tost:

Around that time, Honda approached us with a proposal. I believe it was around the time of the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix. They asked us if we were interested in Honda, as it was having significant issues with McLaren. I told them we would consider it, and immediately held a meeting with Helmut Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Advisor, and Masashi Yamamoto, then Honda’s Motorsport Division Manager, and flew to Japan to meet Honda’s headquarters. I strongly advised Honda that if they continued their F1 activities, they would definitely succeed. We quickly investigated what was happening between Honda and McLaren, and discovered that sufficient technical feedback was not being provided from the McLaren side. After visiting the HRD Sakura factory, I was confident that if we provide sufficient feedback and work together with Honda, we would definitely succeed. Honda had the financial strength and resources to make it happen. I spoke with Takahiro Hachigo, Honda’s President, saying, “If we proceed with a strong development program together, we will definitely find a way forward.”

[diffuser]

Just watched the onboard from FP2. The car is shaking to bits, felt like I was getting nerve damage just by watching, and that is with the engine turned down massively. It doesn't look like they are harvesting much at all. I don't understand how this was not discovered on the dyno, it must have been.

Remember, they were testing the battery vibration fix. There might be more deployment in FP3, one hopes.

[gearboxtrouble]

It's not looking good at all. Even so, Alonso said today that they are "much less negative than the media".

Honda seems to have done the development with not experienced engineers. I just hope they're excellent ones (I guess that not every mediocre engineer can be hired by Honda to work at Sakura un these kind of projects).

So I'm forcing myself to have some hope and see if some kind of McLaren miracle happens in the second half of the season.

ADUO is the only thing that has me intrigued for the second half of the season. Having been a fan of Alonso through McLaren-Honda, it is hard for me to have any expectations.

It has to be demotivating for the drivers to ride around the track 5 seconds off the pace for the first half of the season.

Its possible they don't qualify for ADUO if the ICE is within the 2% limit on the bench but the problem is with the MGU-K and battery which aren't covered by ADUO and are currently homologated till the 2028 season.

[mzso]

I’m gutted there was no one brave enough in the room to ask Newey if part of those issues could come as a consequence of very late and drastic changes Honda had to make at Newey’s command upon arrival, as Satoshi Tsunoda revealed. I mean I understand none of the Brits would ask a question like that ever, but others….F1 journalism is really dead.

They should definitely have asked a rude loaded question, based on unsubstantiated rumors. That always goes down well.

[f1isgood]

I’m gutted there was no one brave enough in the room to ask Newey if part of those issues could come as a consequence of very late and drastic changes Honda had to make at Newey’s command upon arrival, as Satoshi Tsunoda revealed. I mean I understand none of the Brits would ask a question like that ever, but others….F1 journalism is really dead.

They should definitely have asked a rude loaded question, based on unsubstantiated rumors. That always goes down well.

It is not unsubstantiated but it's definitely a pretty rude question to ask and I agree there. It only adds fuel to fire.

[diffuser]

It's not looking good at all. Even so, Alonso said today that they are "much less negative than the media".

Honda seems to have done the development with not experienced engineers. I just hope they're excellent ones (I guess that not every mediocre engineer can be hired by Honda to work at Sakura un these kind of projects).

So I'm forcing myself to have some hope and see if some kind of McLaren miracle happens in the second half of the season.

ADUO is the only thing that has me intrigued for the second half of the season. Having been a fan of Alonso through McLaren-Honda, it is hard for me to have any expectations.

It has to be demotivating for the drivers to ride around the track 5 seconds off the pace for the first half of the season.

Its possible they don't qualify for ADUO if the ICE is within the 2% limit on the bench but the problem is with the MGU-K and battery which aren't covered by ADUO and are currently homologated till the 2028 season.

You can change whatever you want, as long as it get's approved, when it comes to reliability.

[AR3-GP]

The vibrations can be seen in onboard footage.

[AR3-GP]

It's not looking good at all. Even so, Alonso said today that they are "much less negative than the media".

Honda seems to have done the development with not experienced engineers. I just hope they're excellent ones (I guess that not every mediocre engineer can be hired by Honda to work at Sakura un these kind of projects).

So I'm forcing myself to have some hope and see if some kind of McLaren miracle happens in the second half of the season.

ADUO is the only thing that has me intrigued for the second half of the season. Having been a fan of Alonso through McLaren-Honda, it is hard for me to have any expectations.

It has to be demotivating for the drivers to ride around the track 5 seconds off the pace for the first half of the season.

Honda said ADUO is useless if they don't understand where the vibration is coming from.

"First, we need to identify the cause of the vibration; otherwise, no matter how much we update, it won't make any sense"

Newey also said that Honda ICE is so underpowered that Honda should just focus on 2027.

“Being realistic, this season is first of all, as I mentioned, getting on top of this vibration problem so we can run reliably, and from there to see how much performance they can add to the combustion engine in particular.

“Then at the same time, of course, Honda needs to start working on the ’27 engine because it’s clear that a very large step in combustion engine power is needed for ’27, and that has to be their sole focus.”

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/adrian ... in-plight/

[SealTheRealDeal]

Wasn't it pretty obvious to everyone that the "Honda" engine Red Bull has been using for the past few years wasn't actually a Honda engine? That the RBR engine only improved after the numerous hires of professionals from Mercedes' engine division, who had nothing to do with the Japanese manufacturer?

So I don't understand this surprise regarding Honda. To me, this was always obvious. Or am I mistaken? To me, it doesn't make sense that they signed with Honda "wanting" the RBR engine.

Besides, Newey worked at RBR, so he knew things better than anyone.

I think your timeline is off by about a year. Honda achieved rough parity with Mercedes by the start of the 2021 season, which is to say before Red Bull's big hires from Mercedes.

Hmm... I remember in 2021/2022 Andrew Green mooted the possibility of Aston Martin making its own power unit, I wonder how that would have turned out had they got started on it back then rather than courting Honda. Would have been a huge gamble and a third huge capital expenditure in addition to the new factory and wins tunnel, but Stroll bucks plus Cowell helming the final phase of its development...

[AR3-GP]

Stroll out of FP3.

[SchuMassa]

The first half of FP3 is rather promising, ALO is comfortably ahead of both Cadillacs and not miles behind the midfield.

[Rikrikrik]

The first half of FP3 is rather promising, ALO is comfortably ahead of both Cadillacs and not miles behind the midfield.

The best season for them by far at now. But Stroll has problems. maybe they will saving his battery.

[auem123]

May be Alonso will be inside 107% when quali comes. Is it measured against Q1 best time or Q3 best time.