Exclusive: Honda Highlights Alonso 'Trust' as Competitive F1 Target Outlined

Honda chief F1 engineer Shintaro Orihara says Fernando Alonso maintains firm trust in the Japanese manufacturer despite Aston Martin's struggles through the opening half of the 2026 season. While the package has languished toward the rear of the grid, Orihara insists Alonso's feedback remains essential as Honda prepares an upgrade for Zandvoort next month.

Why it matters:

Alonso is using the summer break to decide whether he will remain in Formula 1 for 2027, so every sign of progress carries extra weight. His patience has limits, and Honda's ability to reward his faith could determine whether Aston Martin keeps a driver of his caliber or loses him from the grid entirely.

The details:

• In an exclusive interview, Orihara explained that running two drivers provides twice the knowledge for improving drivability and energy management.
• With two decades of experience, Alonso's input is treated as authoritative. Orihara noted that when the Spaniard requests specific deployment adjustments before corners, the team acts immediately.
• Aston Martin rolled out its first substantial upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but Honda's corresponding power unit step is slated to arrive at Zandvoort in August.
• Orihara emphasized that Alonso's passion has not dimmed despite poor results, saying the driver constantly pushes for improvements and delivers detailed post-session briefings.

What's next:

The Zandvoort upgrade offers Honda its first tangible chance to prove that its 2026 project can match Alonso's standards. With the two-time champion's future on the line, the next few weeks could decide whether Honda and Aston Martin can give him a car competitive enough to justify staying on the grid beyond this year.