Brundle Raises Key Aston Martin Question After Barcelona Test Analysis

Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle has revealed that Aston Martin team boss Adrian Newey expressed concerns about Honda's 2026 power unit development, suggesting the manufacturer is playing "catch up." This comes as the first pre-season shakedown in Barcelona concluded, offering early glimpses into the competitive order with Mercedes appearing strong.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season introduces major new technical regulations, making power unit performance and reliability more critical than ever. Honda's official return as a works supplier for Aston Martin is a pivotal part of the grid's reshuffle, and any developmental struggles could significantly impact the team's ability to challenge the established frontrunners from the outset.

The details:

• Honda's Challenge: Brundle's conversation with Adrian Newey highlighted that Honda is "having to play catch up" on its 2026 engine, echoing recent admissions from Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe that "not everything is going well."
• Barcelona Test Takeaways: The private shakedown provided the first real track data for the new cars.
  • Mercedes emerged with early strength, topping both the team and engine manufacturer lap counts with over 500 and 1,136 laps respectively.
  • The test allowed teams to begin correlating their simulation data with real-world performance.
• Newey's Elevated Role: Former F1 engineer Dr. Sammy Diasinos notes that experienced figures like Adrian Newey are "so much more valuable" under the current cost cap and limited testing environment, as they can provide decisive technical direction more efficiently.

What's next:

The insights from Barcelona are just initial data points. Teams will now analyze the collected information intensively before the official pre-season test in Bahrain. All eyes will be on Aston Martin and Honda to see if they can address the reported development gaps before the competitive season begins, while Mercedes will aim to confirm its promising testing form.