Honda targets driveability boost for Canadian GP as Aston Martin power unit improves

Honda has revealed its "important target" for the Canadian Grand Prix: improving driveability and energy management to give Aston Martin drivers more confidence on corner entry. This follows initial reliability progress during the unexpected five-week spring break, where battery vibration issues that had damaged components and caused driver health concerns were addressed.

Aston Martin recorded a double finish in both the sprint and main race in Miami, but the AMR26 qualified 18th and 19th, 1.2 seconds off the Q2 cutoff, with Fernando Alonso hampered by a gearbox issue causing random downshifts. The team was 78 seconds away from the points on Sunday.

Why it matters:

The works partnership between Aston Martin and Honda was expected to challenge for championships but has instead languished at the back of the grid. Reliability and performance gains are critical to closing the gap to midfield rivals. The Canadian GP—Lance Stroll's home race—offers a chance to validate the improvements before the ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) system kicks in for engine manufacturers after Montreal.

The details:

• Miami progress: Honda confirmed battery vibration improvements and overall power unit reliability. The weekend also provided valuable data on energy management under the updated 2026 regulations.
• Current deficit: Despite the double finish, Aston Martin's pace is still significantly off. Orihara noted that giving drivers confidence to enter corners faster and carry more speed is the key to unlocking lap time.
• ADUO timing: The first opportunity for Honda to make performance upgrades through the ADUO mechanism will come after Canada. Until then, gains must come from driveability and strategy.
• No major upgrades: Aston Martin is not planning any significant car upgrades until the summer break, as it focuses on optimizing the current package.

What's next:

Honda's immediate target is to help Alonso and Stroll build confidence through better energy management and throttle response. If successful, Aston Martin could inch closer to the midfield battle. However, the team's real progress is likely to come after the ADUO window opens, when Honda can introduce performance-oriented modifications to the power unit.