Honda identifies “main weakness” and outlines upgraded engine package for Zandvoort

Key Takeaways (TL;DR):

• Honda Engine Debuts at Zandvoort: Honda will introduce an upgraded power unit specification for Aston Martin at the Dutch Grand Prix, leveraging F1’s ADUO concession framework.
• Focusing on Power Deficit: Shintaro Orihara confirmed that raw horsepower was Honda’s main weakness, leading engineers to prioritize ICE performance and combustion characteristics over driveability tweaks.
• ADUO Concession Package: Facing over a 4% power deficit compared to benchmark units like Red Bull Ford, Honda secured two engine upgrades for 2026 to help lift Aston Martin from the back of the grid.

Aston Martin will race with an updated Honda power unit at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix as the Japanese manufacturer introduces its first major performance upgrade under Formula 1’s engine concession rules. Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, revealed that development efforts focused explicitly on boosting raw horsepower—which he identified as the power unit’s primary handicap.

The engine update is enabled by the FIA’s ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) system. Designed to assist manufacturers trailing the top-performing power unit benchmark by more than 2%, the system granted Honda two update tokens in 2026 due to an estimated deficit exceeding 4% relative to Red Bull Ford.

Following aerodynamic improvements introduced by Aston Martin at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the upcoming engine specification at Zandvoort aims to address the AMR26’s top-speed deficiencies on straightaways.

“Our biggest weakness is power. Therefore, we focused on improving engine performance in the new model. Our focus was exclusively on enhancing performance from this new specification and refining driveability based on new combustion characteristics,” Orihara told RacingNews365.

Orihara emphasized that learning gathered during the challenging opening 11 races provided critical data for designing the new combustion architecture.

“We learned a lot from the first specification, so we can transfer part of that knowledge to the new one. However, the updated version has different combustion characteristics. We are rebuilding our driveability calibration, but we aren’t starting from scratch. Performance is the primary target, followed by fine-tuning driveability over time,” Orihara explained.

Aston Martin’s sole points finish of the 2026 season came via Fernando Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix. While both Alonso and Lance Stroll have voiced frustration regarding straight-line performance, Orihara praised their feedback in guiding Honda’s factory development program.

“It is important to strike a balance between reacting to driver requests and directing our factory development program. Power remains our main bottleneck. At the factory, we focus on raw performance, while at the track, we can adjust parameters to improve energy management and throttle response,” Orihara added.

The engine update arrives amid a busy news cycle ahead of Round 12, following Carlos Sainz’s multi-year contract extension with Williams.

Formula 1 resumes track action August 21–23, 2026, at Circuit Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO is covering all activities live on-site with reporter Leonid Kliuev.

2026 Dutch Grand Prix — Session Schedule (Local Time / CEST)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Honda allowed to upgrade its 2026 F1 engine mid-season?

Honda qualifies for mid-season upgrades under the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) rules because its engine power output lagged behind the grid benchmark by more than 2%.

Which team uses Honda engines in Formula 1 2026?

Aston Martin is the exclusive works partner running Honda power units in Formula 1 starting in 2026.

How many points has Aston Martin scored in the 2026 season?

Aston Martin has scored 1 point in 2026, secured by Fernando Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix.