Honda fast‑tracks Aston Martin’s new F1 engine as AMR26 hits the track in Hungary
Honda debuted the new engine they developed for an already upgraded AMR26. Neither side provided further details of the 200-kilometer filming day.
Neither side expected to move this fast, but this time it was Honda’s turn to deliver. Aston Martin had already made its move before Formula 1 headed into its summer break, rolling out a heavily updated AMR26 that left both drivers genuinely encouraged. Lance Stroll called it “the most hopeful upgrade we’ve had in a very, very long time,” while Fernando Alonso said the progress was obvious.
That momentum pushed Honda to accelerate its own timeline. Instead of waiting for the Dutch Grand Prix later in August, the Japanese manufacturer began testing a brand‑new power unit this Wednesday during a 200‑kilometer filming day at the Hungaroring — a limited session, but one that offers valuable early feedback.
A sneak‑peek test before Zandvoort
Honda originally planned to debut the engine at Zandvoort from August 21–23. But the new unit is already turning laps — 46 in total — on the Hungarian circuit. Because it’s a filming day, the AMR26 runs on demonstration tires rather than race‑spec Pirellis, and the car is restricted to basic setups. Even so, Honda track boss Shintaro Orihara says the session is crucial: “It’s a good opportunity to test the new power unit with the new chassis.”
Aston Martin won’t release any data from the test, keeping results tightly under wraps.
Jak Crawford behind the wheel
Neither Stroll nor Alonso — who turns 45 today — took part in the run. Instead, Jak Crawford handled driving duties, putting the new Honda engine through its first real‑world laps.
Orihara previously shared a few hints about what Honda Racing Corporation has been working on:
- Internal redesign of the combustion chamber
- Updates to the pre‑chamber
- Reduced friction through a revised lubrication system
- Improved reliability, a major focus after early‑season struggles
The goal is clear: more efficiency, more durability, and more straight‑line speed.
How much faster could Aston Martin get?
If everything went perfectly, early outside estimates — including one from the BBC — suggested a gain of about half a second per lap, roughly equivalent to 50 horsepower. Orihara dismissed that figure as “too high,” insisting the true improvement won’t be known until the AMR26 faces the rest of the grid at Zandvoort.
Still, Aston Martin needs a stronger engine. Alonso has been blunt: “We need that extra straight‑line speed.”
He hopes the second half of the season can be “a new beginning” for the team. Orihara, ever cautious, offered a reminder:
“There’s no magic in Formula 1.”
Miracles, though — those sometimes happen.
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