2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[Leon Kennedy]

When he, Andy and Lawrence went to Japan in November they saw the R&D staff, that's what the conversation was about. He responded to a question. My interpretation of that answer is "I haven't looked at any data with exact numbers (i'm guessing) from what I saw maybe 30%".

Maybe they missed the memo that Honda had been following company tradition and nurturing their engineers who will then go onto other projects. They are pretty much given the assurance not to fear failure. One would hope that those who contributed prior can provide nuggets of wisdom given the space and occasion. Back then it was "All Honda", but with HRC personnel/staffing there is now a clearer distinction. Perhaps those who are in HRC now will be there for the "long run", 5+ years. I would also think there would be some burnout or individuals moving on after a period of success.

Applications and contributions of F1 technologies to the future of mobility
The technologies refined in F1, such as technologies for high-efficiency combustion and thermal management; technologies in the area of high rotational speed, including high-output motors and large-sized turbochargers; as well as sustainable fuel technologies, are being applied not only to next-generation HEV and EV models but also to Honda products that enhances mobility in the skies, such as eVTOL and aircraft engines.

To be more specific, expertise on sustainable fuels has already been applied to sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), as well as fuels to power eVTOLs, which are currently under study. Moreover, technologies for high-speed rotating components, such as turbos and motors, have been leveraged reciprocally for aircraft engines and F1 PUs and are being further advanced through real-world applications. This circular synergy is ongoing within Honda.

Honda will leverage F1 technologies as a starting point to further facilitate technological innovation for a wide range of mobility for land, sea, skies and outer space and contribute to the advancement of mobility products and services and realization of a sustainable society.

Official statement from Honda: They have just reached a significant staffing level ( in number and apparently also the same people who were involved in the project) similar to what they had before leaving F1.

https://x.com/i/status/2031109016479478000

[zoroastar]

Did Aston Martin only find out what it signed up for with Honda in November?

wow that really throws a wrench in the "neweys fault" hypothosis being tossed around by everybody in here.

This doesn't reflect anything. Honda boss just didn't want to put more gasoline on the fire, like AMR was doing all week.

sounds like speculation to me . i mean the main goal of half the people commenting in here has been to immediately find a scapegoat on why the power unit was weak and unreliable, which was predictable. i dont think anybody is throwing gas on a fire when theyre being straight up honest. we are in a forum arguing back and forth over causes and blame and newey is in a team where millions of $$$'s are being spent with pressure and extremely high expectations. not to mention hes older than alonso, and doesnt want to be dealing with this bs at this point in his career either. hes calling it like he sees it and people in here are worried about hondas "fragile sensibilities". honda is in a tough spot, but they can take it. its a bunch of forum fans that dont seem like they can.

[diffuser]

When he, Andy and Lawrence went to Japan in November they saw the R&D staff, that's what the conversation was about. He responded to a question. My interpretation of that answer is "I haven't looked at any data with exact numbers (i'm guessing) from what I saw maybe 30%".

Maybe they missed the memo that Honda had been following company tradition and nurturing their engineers who will then go onto other projects. They are pretty much given the assurance not to fear failure. One would hope that those who contributed prior can provide nuggets of wisdom given the space and occasion. Back then it was "All Honda", but with HRC personnel/staffing there is now a clearer distinction. Perhaps those who are in HRC now will be there for the "long run", 5+ years. I would also think there would be some burnout or individuals moving on after a period of success.

Applications and contributions of F1 technologies to the future of mobility
The technologies refined in F1, such as technologies for high-efficiency combustion and thermal management; technologies in the area of high rotational speed, including high-output motors and large-sized turbochargers; as well as sustainable fuel technologies, are being applied not only to next-generation HEV and EV models but also to Honda products that enhances mobility in the skies, such as eVTOL and aircraft engines.

To be more specific, expertise on sustainable fuels has already been applied to sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), as well as fuels to power eVTOLs, which are currently under study. Moreover, technologies for high-speed rotating components, such as turbos and motors, have been leveraged reciprocally for aircraft engines and F1 PUs and are being further advanced through real-world applications. This circular synergy is ongoing within Honda.

Honda will leverage F1 technologies as a starting point to further facilitate technological innovation for a wide range of mobility for land, sea, skies and outer space and contribute to the advancement of mobility products and services and realization of a sustainable society.

I think everyone is putting too much weight on an answer from a question from a journalist he clearily didn't feel comfortable in answering that he felt the need to add "I'm guessing".

I mean when they asked him if he thought Honda had the ability to solve the problems, his answer was yes, they have a track record of doing it.

Then again, not sure what the journalists is expecting as an answer. If I didn't think they could do it... I would be saying yes yes yes I believe in them but planning how to get out of the deal like McLaren did in the background.

Obviously, AMR F1 felt that the relationship wasn't being managed properly. To the point were they've put a top guy with lots of PU knowledge to manage it. So I am confident that AMR F1 are on top of it now. With Cowell there, things will improve with Honda.

[sn809]

I don't understand if Lawrence doesn't have an issue, why can fans not be patient.
Apparently Suzuka will be the target where most of the issues should see a resolution.

[V10FURY]

This graphic should give both Aston and Audi a little hope I think. Let’s see how the Aston’s run after some more fine tuning of the chassis in China. I think Newey has built a solid foundation that just needs some running, and a decent PU to unlock it. Suzuka will be Honda’s home race so I expect them to have some more fixes for the engines so they can finish the race. Otherwise it will be very embarrassing for the entire Honda organization.

[AR3-GP]

This graphic should give both Aston and Audi a little hope I think. Let’s see how the Aston’s run after some more fine tuning of the chassis in China. I think Newey has built a solid foundation that just needs some running, and a decent PU to unlock it. Suzuka will be Honda’s home race so I expect them to have some more fixes for the engines so they can finish the race. Otherwise it will be very embarrassing for the entire Honda organization.

I don't know if Aston Martin's data can be taken literally here. It's not like for like conditions. Alonso started on softs which was an unusual strategy and he didn't run for very long. Stroll made 3 pitstops, so did 4 relatively shorter stints on brand new tires. This has inflated his corner speeds relative to everyone around him who stopped once or twice and spent more of the race on older tires.



Despite the tire strategy muddying the waters, I do think this car has a lot of potential. This car is filled with interesting ideas. If we take Adrian Newey's comments at face value, then the chassis is at least 5th best.

[Leon Kennedy]

https://i.postimg.cc/pLw5CMmQ/image.png

This graphic should give both Aston and Audi a little hope I think. Let’s see how the Aston’s run after some more fine tuning of the chassis in China. I think Newey has built a solid foundation that just needs some running, and a decent PU to unlock it. Suzuka will be Honda’s home race so I expect them to have some more fixes for the engines so they can finish the race. Otherwise it will be very embarrassing for the entire Honda organization.

Ideally at Suzuka you should be at McLaren level on a flying lap, especially because it is a track with few straights. Let's consider the 2.4 seconds, 1 second is gained only in the car's setup and the other second one should be given by Honda.In race pace they will be behind but I expect a top 10 if all goes well

[basti313]

https://i.postimg.cc/pLw5CMmQ/image.png

This graphic should give both Aston and Audi a little hope I think. Let’s see how the Aston’s run after some more fine tuning of the chassis in China. I think Newey has built a solid foundation that just needs some running, and a decent PU to unlock it. Suzuka will be Honda’s home race so I expect them to have some more fixes for the engines so they can finish the race. Otherwise it will be very embarrassing for the entire Honda organization.

Ideally at Suzuka you should be at McLaren level on a flying lap, especially because it is a track with few straights. Let's consider the 2.4 seconds, 1 second is gained only in the car's setup and the other second one should be given by Honda.In race pace they will be behind but I expect a top 10 if all goes well

Come on, don't be so pessimistic. With RedBulls failing and Ferrari doing Ferrari things a podium needs to be the target.

[etusch]

https://i.postimg.cc/pLw5CMmQ/image.png

This graphic should give both Aston and Audi a little hope I think. Let’s see how the Aston’s run after some more fine tuning of the chassis in China. I think Newey has built a solid foundation that just needs some running, and a decent PU to unlock it. Suzuka will be Honda’s home race so I expect them to have some more fixes for the engines so they can finish the race. Otherwise it will be very embarrassing for the entire Honda organization.

I don't know if Aston Martin's data can be taken literally here. It's not like for like conditions. Alonso started on softs which was an unusual strategy and he didn't run for very long. Stroll made 3 pitstops, so did 4 relatively shorter stints on brand new tires. This has inflated his corner speeds relative to everyone around him who stopped once or twice and spent more of the race on older tires.
https://i.postimg.cc/TPkT7f4X/image.png


Despite the tire strategy muddying the waters, I do think this car has a lot of potential. This car is filled with interesting ideas. If we take Adrian Newey's comments at face value, then the chassis is at least 5th best.

while others has low fuel runs which is not case for AM

[collindsilva]

https://i.postimg.cc/pLw5CMmQ/image.png

This graphic should give both Aston and Audi a little hope I think. Let’s see how the Aston’s run after some more fine tuning of the chassis in China. I think Newey has built a solid foundation that just needs some running, and a decent PU to unlock it. Suzuka will be Honda’s home race so I expect them to have some more fixes for the engines so they can finish the race. Otherwise it will be very embarrassing for the entire Honda organization.

I don't know if Aston Martin's data can be taken literally here. It's not like for like conditions. Alonso started on softs which was an unusual strategy and he didn't run for very long. Stroll made 3 pitstops, so did 4 relatively shorter stints on brand new tires. This has inflated his corner speeds relative to everyone around him who stopped once or twice and spent more of the race on older tires.
https://i.postimg.cc/TPkT7f4X/image.png


Despite the tire strategy muddying the waters, I do think this car has a lot of potential. This car is filled with interesting ideas. If we take Adrian Newey's comments at face value, then the chassis is at least 5th best.

while others has low fuel runs which is not case for AM

It all depends on what solution Honda brings for the vibrations, as rumoured earlier the AMR chassis is overweight, to add to it the intended solution from Honda to control Vibration adds approx. 5 Kg to the weight (not sure if the same was already implemented or will be implemented from Japan).
There is lot of potential with AMR, however we are not able to judge the actual pecking order until AMR does a clean race..

[Badger]

Half a second behind Audi in sector 3. I think we need to pump the brakes a bit on this "5th best chassis" stuff.

[Leon Kennedy]

Half a second behind Audi in sector 3. I think we need to pump the brakes a bit on this "5th best chassis" stuff.

The engine's lack of power is present at every point on the track, as is the lack of torque. And consider that in slow corners the situation is worse because you also have an excessive fuel load to contain vibrations. Let's say that the most indicative areas are the fast corners and AM does a good job there.

[AR3-GP]

Half a second behind Audi in sector 3. I think we need to pump the brakes a bit on this "5th best chassis" stuff.

The Aston is probably at least 15kg overweight, while that Audi is at the weight limit.

but I agree that something has to give. If Aston is 100hp down and 15-20kg overweight, then the chassis is in another formula because they qualified only 2.6 seconds off pole.

[AR3-GP]

Gary Anderson: Newey's forthright criticism risks alienating Honda

[Farnborough]

Half a second behind Audi in sector 3. I think we need to pump the brakes a bit on this "5th best chassis" stuff.

The Aston is probably at least 15kg overweight, while that Audi is at the weight limit.

but I agree that something has to give. If Aston is 100hp down and 15-20kg overweight, then the chassis is in another formula because they qualified only 2.6 seconds off pole.

From casual observation, this just doesn't look like its a heavy weight car. With considerable detail in almost every aspect, with quite a few running contrary to the other teams thinking. It has the air more of adventurous advance to it in my appreciation.

The resonance also would be more problematic (and as we've so far seen with these problems in existence) if structures are "thinned" out, less mass and higher modulous would go hand in hand with the experience so far.

It screams potential to me in tge overall approach.