Honda admits problems with new F1 engine as Fernando Alonso criticism hits home – Honda chief engineer Shintaro Orihara has acknowledged that the manufacturer still has work to do on the drivability of its upgraded Formula 1 power unit after Fernando Alonso criticised the engine following the Dutch Grand Prix.
Honda introduced its second-specification power unit at Zandvoort as Aston Martin continued its push to recover from a difficult start to the 2026 season. The team also brought further chassis developments to the Netherlands after introducing its major B-specification package at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The upgrades helped Aston Martin make a significant step forward in race performance, with Alonso finishing ninth to secure only the team’s second points-scoring result of the season. However, the weekend also exposed problems with the new Honda engine, particularly during qualifying and over a single lap.
Alonso identifies Honda engine weakness
Alonso was encouraged by the progress made on the chassis side but made clear that the Honda power unit still requires further optimisation.
The two-time world champion said the new engine had affected the feeling of the car and that some of the drivability improvements achieved with the previous specification had been lost.
“I don’t think this weekend delivered what we were hoping for. We are missing that feeling in the car and when shifting. Everything we improved with the first engine is a step back with this second one, so we have about two or three races to optimize it,”
Alonso had already warned that Monza could be particularly difficult for Aston Martin because of the circuit’s characteristics and the team’s current limitations.
The Spaniard’s comments echoed concerns raised during the Zandvoort weekend, when the new Honda power unit’s behaviour under braking and during power delivery made it difficult to extract maximum performance over a single lap.
Honda acknowledges drivability problems
Honda has now effectively accepted Alonso’s criticism, with Orihara acknowledging that the manufacturer still needs to improve how the updated power unit delivers its performance.
In a video message following the Dutch Grand Prix, Honda’s trackside general manager and chief engineer thanked the teams in Sakura and the United Kingdom for their work on the latest specification before addressing the remaining weakness.
“There is room to improve our drivability. We need to work hard on that heading into Monza and Madrid,”
The comments underline that Honda’s focus is now not simply on extracting more performance from the engine, but on making that performance easier for the drivers to use.
Honda had previously indicated that the second specification was designed to deliver a significant improvement, while the manufacturer has also been working to address the problems that affected Aston Martin’s early-season performance.
Aston Martin’s chassis progress offers hope
Despite the Honda setback, Alonso’s ninth-place finish provided evidence that Aston Martin’s chassis development is beginning to produce results.
The team had introduced a substantial B-specification package in Hungary and continued refining the concept at Zandvoort. Alonso subsequently described the chassis progress as a positive development, with the car appearing considerably more competitive during the race than its qualifying position suggested.
That distinction could prove important for the remainder of the season. If Aston Martin can continue improving the chassis while Honda resolves the drivability characteristics of its second-specification power unit, the team could potentially unlock more performance from the package.
For now, however, the engine remains a significant limitation.
Monza provides immediate Honda test
The next opportunity to address the problem comes at Monza, where the demands placed on the power unit will be very different from those at Zandvoort.
Honda therefore faces a particularly important test as it works to optimise the new specification and ensure that its additional performance can be translated into usable lap time.
Alonso’s comments indicate that Aston Martin believes the chassis has finally moved in the right direction. Honda’s response suggests the Japanese manufacturer understands that the power unit must now catch up.
With Orihara openly acknowledging the need for improved drivability, the coming races will show whether Honda can turn its latest engine upgrade into the step Aston Martin originally expected.
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