For the second time following a major Formula 1 engine regulation change, Honda has stumbled badly at the start of a new era. The Japanese manufacturer failed to adequately recruit in the run-up to the 2026 rule changes, having lost key engineers to its former customer, Red Bull Racing.
ADUO Upgrades and Performance Fixes
Under the FIA’s ADUO catch-up rules, Honda is allowed two upgrade opportunities to improve its engine this season and two further in 2027. At Zandvoort, Honda debuted the first of these updates, which primarily focused on improving internal combustion engine (ICE) efficiency.
The combustion chamber has been redesigned with reduced friction to increase horsepower, which has had the knock-on effect of improving hybrid energy deployment. The new package also resolved the significant vibration issues that Honda and Aston Martin experienced earlier in the season.
Albon’s Masterclass Masks Engine Flaws
Aston Martin brought a B-spec car to the final race before the summer break, raising expectations for Zandvoort after the holiday period. Prima facie, it appeared that Honda had made significant improvements, given that Fernando Alonso scored points for only the second time this season. Yet behind the scenes, concerns remain.
The Spaniard pulled off what was effectively a one-stop strategy, though he also fitted fresh rubber during the restart following the red flag caused by Max Verstappen’s crash. Alonso remained out on track as those around him pitted for their first conventional stops, finally coming in for fresh rubber on Lap 34.
At the time, he had climbed to P8, trailing only the drivers from the top four teams. His stop dropped him back to P13, but critically, it meant he could complete the race without stopping again—a feat nobody else managed. His final stint was a mammoth 37 laps on the hard tyres, rewarding the team with a P9 finish and two points.
Ultimately, this result had little to do with the upgraded Honda power unit and was instead down to a masterful strategy executed by the grid’s most experienced driver. Some reports highlighted that Aston Martin, despite failing to reach Q3, was now only a second off the pace—compared to Belgium, where the gap was four seconds.
Patience Wearing Thin at Silverstone
Comparing the short track at Zandvoort with the monster among the trees in the Ardennes Forest is like comparing apples to sugar cubes. In the previous engine era, Honda failed to be competitive until it partnered with Red Bull, five years into the engine specification cycle.
Lawrence Stroll, who has invested hundreds of millions into the Silverstone-based team, will not have the patience to wait that long for Honda to deliver a race-winning engine. According to AutoRacer in Italy, he has held exploratory talks with both Red Bull and Mercedes.
“Aston Martin has held talks with Mercedes and Red Bull about a possible engine switch for 2028. They are hopeful about Honda heading into next year, but Lawrence wants a Plan B,” stated a post on X quoting @Auto_Racer.it.
Despite having powered six drivers to championship glory and six customer teams to the Constructors’ title, Honda suffered the embarrassment of its ex-customer, Red Bull, being named by the FIA as the team with the most powerful internal combustion engine in 2026.
Monza Testing Ground & Strategic Options
The real test for the upgraded Honda powertrain will come next time out in Monza, a circuit where the hybrid component is expected to have the least impact. Given the high-speed nature of the track, Monza will provide a clearer measure of how Honda compares to the front of the field in qualifying lap times.
Prior to the start of this season, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff suggested that Mercedes High Performance Powertrains might supply one fewer customer team in the next era. This does not bode well for Aston Martin should Honda fail to make significant progress, potentially leaving Red Bull Powertrains as its only viable alternative.
Red Bull has its own challenges at present, however. Despite boasting the best internal combustion engine in F1, its overall package places it fourth among the top four teams. With no power unit development currently permitted for the Milton Keynes-based squad, it is presently stymied in terms of performance gains.
The Battle Over Upgrade Rules
The FIA is attempting to revise the terms of the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunity (ADUO) framework, but for now, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Audi are refusing to cooperate.
Nevertheless, should Aston Martin become an RBPT customer in 2028, it would represent one of motorsport’s most remarkable achievements: an energy drinks brand going from engine customer to supplier in just three seasons.
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A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
