Aston Martin F1 readies new Honda engine and car for Spa and Hungary races

Honda confirmed that the new power unit for Aston Martin is on track and will debut at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, with chief engineer Shintaro Orihara saying progress is proceeding as expected. The team is preparing for a challenging weekend at Spa‑Francorchamps, acknowledging that the Belgian circuit will expose current weaknesses of the AMR26 chassis and its integration with the Honda engine. Ahead of a major aerodynamic upgrade planned for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Aston Martin’s track‑side operations director Mike Krack warned that spare parts will be limited, but the team is working intensively to have two complete cars ready for the race and has contingency plans in place. The focus remains on improving engine performance and overall handling rather than battery development, as the team strives to move up the grid in the 2026 season.