Honda's surprise engine gains for Aston Martin

Honda is set to deliver drivability improvements for Aston Martin as early as this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, while a more substantial engine upgrade is planned around the summer break. After a challenging start to 2026 plagued by vibration-related reliability issues, the Japanese manufacturer has made significant progress and is now shifting focus to performance gains.

Why it matters:

For Aston Martin, which has struggled to match the frontrunners early in the season, these incremental improvements could be crucial at Monaco where drivability is paramount. Any performance boost from the power unit helps the team extract more from its chassis, especially on a tight street circuit where driver confidence is key.

The Details:

• Honda's trackside general manager Shintaro Orihara confirmed the team found a way to improve drivability, and Sakura engineers are working to have it ready for Monaco.
• The improvements come from data settings, calibration, ignition timing, lambda (air-fuel ratio) settings, and injection timing.
• Honda also conducted specific driver-in-loop sessions at Aston Martin's Technology Campus to optimize energy management for Monaco.
• Cooling is a challenge at low-speed Monaco, with Honda working closely with Aramco to find the right specification for clean air and traffic.
• A larger engine upgrade is being developed in Japan, focusing on improving combustion and reducing friction. Orihara says they've seen positive signs on the dyno.
• The target is to introduce this upgrade around the summer break, not at the end of the season.

What's next:

Honda's long-term 2027 plans are unaffected by potential regulation changes. The FIA is considering shifting the 50/50 power ratio to 60/40, but has not secured manufacturer support. Honda remains neutral, noting that the direction of improving combustion remains the same regardless of the fuel flow rate. However, more fuel flow could increase reliability challenges.