{"id":1247,"date":"2026-08-26T11:03:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T14:03:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=1247"},"modified":"2026-08-26T11:03:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T14:03:42","slug":"fernando-alonso-says-aston-martin-is-back-to-square-one-with-new-honda-engine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/fernando-alonso-says-aston-martin-is-back-to-square-one-with-new-honda-engine\/","title":{"rendered":"Alonso says Aston Martin is \u201cback to square one\u201d with new Honda engine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mixed feelings on Honda upgrade:<\/strong> <strong>Fernando Alonso scored points at the Dutch GP<\/strong>, but noted that driveability and gear shifts regressed with the new Honda power unit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Optimization window:<\/strong> <strong>The Spaniard expects it will take two or three races<\/strong> to dial in the engine settings following the ADUO framework update.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low expectations for Monza:<\/strong> Alonso warned that <strong>Monza will be one of Aston Martin&#8217;s hardest tracks<\/strong>, with minimal hopes of scoring points given the engine&#8217;s current state.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite scoring points for just the second time in the 2026 Formula 1 season, <strong>Fernando Alonso<\/strong> left the <strong>Dutch Grand Prix<\/strong> with mixed feelings regarding the latest evolution of the <strong>Honda<\/strong> power unit. The two-time World Champion acknowledged that the Japanese manufacturer will need several race weekends to optimize the engine, as driveability and gear shift smoothness have reverted to being major concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After introducing a substantial chassis package featuring 16 upgrades at the Hungarian GP, the Silverstone-based squad arrived in Zandvoort with engine improvements introduced under the <strong>ADUO (Additional Development and Update Opportunities)<\/strong> system. While drivers noted better overall power delivery, other core characteristics degraded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;With the engine, we have to wait. I don&#8217;t think this weekend delivered the result we were expecting,&#8221; Alonso confessed to Spanish newspaper <em>AS<\/em>. &#8220;<strong>We don&#8217;t have that driveability or that gear shifting that we had improved with the first engine. We went back to square one a bit with this second one.<\/strong> We have two or three races ahead to optimize it,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f1-2026-hungria-media-day-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-04-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"F1 2026, HUNGRIA, MEDIA DAY, ASTON MARTIN, FERNANDO ALONSO\" class=\"wp-image-1020310353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f1-2026-hungria-media-day-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-04-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f1-2026-hungria-media-day-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-04-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f1-2026-hungria-media-day-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f1-2026-hungria-media-day-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-04-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f1-2026-hungria-media-day-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-04-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/f1-2026-hungria-media-day-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-04-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fernando Alonso noted that driveability took a step back with Honda&#8217;s new power unit spec (Photo: Gabriel L\u00f3pez\/Grande Pr\u00eamio)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike Hungary and Zandvoort\u2014two high-downforce circuits where engine output is less critical\u2014F1 moves next to <strong>Monza<\/strong>, the ultra-fast &#8216;Temple of Speed&#8217;. Because of this layout, Alonso downplayed any expectations of securing a top-10 finish in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;<strong>Monza will be one of our worst tracks and there will be no chance of scoring points<\/strong>, but we will try to improve this driveability aspect,&#8221; he noted. &#8220;If we had brought this package and seen that we were not performing well in the corners, that would have been worrying. But now that we have a clear direction on the chassis side, it&#8217;s just a matter of optimizing and working flat out on this package,&#8221; Alonso concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alonso&#8217;s comments come amid high-stakes activity across the paddock, following <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/why-andrea-kimi-antonelli-new-engine-in-italy-could-be-mercedes-ace-in-the-hole-for-f1-2026\/\">Mercedes justifying team orders that saved race time for George Russell in the Netherlands<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/lewis-hamilton-takes-responsibility-for-heated-zandvoort-radio-messages-not-the-best-version-of-me\/\">Lewis Hamilton taking responsibility for his heated Zandvoort radio messages<\/a>. Meanwhile, Honda previously expressed confidence in its partnership, citing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/honda-highlights-fernando-alonso-trust-in-project-and-hopes-for-f1-stay-we-will-make-history\/\">Fernando Alonso&#8217;s trust in its engine project and hope for an extended F1 stay<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 returns from September 4\u20136 at Monza for the <strong>Italian Grand Prix<\/strong>, the 13th round of the 2026 season. <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> provides complete live coverage of all track action. Follow all updates on our <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/news\/\">news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">World Championship Standings (Top 5 after Dutch GP)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Pos<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Driver<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Team<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Engine<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Points<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/strong><\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td><strong>242<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>2<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>George Russell<\/strong><\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td><strong>183<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>3<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Lewis Hamilton<\/strong><\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td><strong>183<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>4<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Lando Norris<\/strong><\/td><td>McLaren<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td><strong>159<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>5<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Charles Leclerc<\/strong><\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td><strong>155<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. What issues did Fernando Alonso report with the new Honda engine at Zandvoort?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alonso reported problems with driveability and gear shifting smoothness, stating that the new engine specification lost several refinement gains achieved with the previous unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Why was Honda allowed to update its power unit mid-season?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The updates were permitted under Formula 1&#8217;s ADUO (Additional Development and Update Opportunities) framework for the 2026 power unit regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. What are Alonso&#8217;s expectations for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alonso expects Monza to be one of Aston Martin&#8217;s hardest races of the year, stating the team will likely have no chance of scoring points due to power unit limitations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to Fernando Alonso, several driveability improvements made on the previous power unit disappeared with the upgraded Honda engine used at Zandvoort.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020312404,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Alonso noted that driveability took a step back with Honda's new power unit spec","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Aston Martin","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[100,101],"42wp_author":[58],"class_list":["post-1247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-aston-martin","tag-fernando-alonso","42wp_author-vicente-soella"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1247"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1248,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247\/revisions\/1248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020312404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1247"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=1247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}