< Back to situations

We’ll email you as it develops, and you can follow the whole thread from day one.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

42 clusters · 152 sources · 66 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: SPORTS

Aston Martin upgrade under scrutiny, Alonso skeptical

Entities: Honda · Honda Racing Corporation · Lance Stroll · Fernando Alonso · Shintaro Orihara

Overview

At the Hungarian Grand Prix Aston Martin unveiled the B‑spec AMR26B, a heavily revised chassis that is lighter overall while retaining the gearbox and front suspension and featuring minor rear‑end tweaks. The updated Honda power unit will debut at the Dutch Grand Prix. Team principal Mike Krack said the weight reduction should raise corner speeds and improve energy‑management, and technical director Adrian Newey highlighted the aerodynamic revisions. The upgrade arrives after a difficult start to the 2026 season, with the team sitting tenth in the Constructors’ Championship and holding only a single point earned by Fernando Alonso in Monaco. Criticism has focused on the Honda partnership; Krack admitted the squad might have selected a different engine supplier had it known the true performance levels, and former Haas boss Günter Steiner called any substantial gain “nothing short of a miracle.” Alonso warned that no package can instantly erase the large time deficit, though he noted the team is now listening more closely to driver input after Newey described the earlier development process as “extremely frustrating.” Supporters such as former champion Jenson Button stressed the importance of a competitive car for Alonso’s future, with his 2027 contract under review. The FIA has scheduled press conferences for Alonso and Newey ahead of the Budapest race. Spare‑part availability remains constrained; only an older‑spec backup chassis can be supplied while the two upgraded cars are prepared for practice. Further power‑unit enhancements are planned later in the season to narrow the performance gap. During the Hungarian weekend the team rolled out a 16‑part B‑spec package, including a new front wing, slimmer nose, reworked floor, diffuser, rear wing, side‑pods and a revised rear‑suspension layout.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

Timeline

  1. about 14 hours ago

    [SPORTS] 14 sources
    Honda to debut new F1 engine early at Hungaroring filming day

    Honda will run its new 2026 F1 power unit on Aston Martin’s AMR26 during a Hungaroring filming day on Wednesday, ahead of the planned Dutch Grand Prix debut, after a strong Hungarian GP performance.

  2. 1 day ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Hungarian Grand Prix penalties and Aston Martin surge in race

    Antonio Giovinazzi incurred a three‑place grid penalty for insufficient yellow‑flag slowing at the Hungarian GP, while Aston Martin’s Stroll and Alonso surged to 13th and 14th after a major car update.

  3. 4 days ago

    [SPORTS] 72 sources
    Aston Martin unveils 16-part upgrade package at Hungarian Grand Prix

    Aston Martin’s AMR26 receives a 16‑part B‑spec upgrade at the Hungarian GP; Alonso reports a good feel, Stroll faces a suspension failure, and the team sees it as the first step toward competitiveness.

  4. 4 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin unveils AMR Network partnership model while gearing up for Hungarian Grand Prix upgrades

    Aston Martin launched the AMR Network to turn F1 sponsors into a tech‑collaboration ecosystem and is racing to ready upgraded cars for the Hungarian Grand Prix amid budget pressures.

  5. 6 days ago

    [SPORTS] 16 sources
    Aston Martin rolls out major AMR26 upgrade ahead of Hungarian Grand Prix

    Aston Martin introduces a major B‑spec AMR26 upgrade for the Hungarian GP, featuring chassis redesign, weight loss and new aero, while team chief cites a $1 million parts‑supply challenge.

  6. 6 days ago

    [SPORTS] 12 sources
    Aston Martin's B-spec upgrade key to Fernando Alonso's 2027 prospects

    Aston Martin's struggling 2026 season, Honda doubts and a major AMR26B chassis upgrade at the Hungarian GP will determine Fernando Alonso's future with the team through 2027.

  7. 7 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Fernando Alonso trails Aston Martin by four seconds in Formula 1 qualifying

    Alonso qualified 1:50.002 at Spa, 4.1 s slower than Norris, showing Aston Martin’s lag ahead of 2026 F1 rule changes.

  8. 10 days ago

    [SPORTS] 12 sources
    Fernando Alonso to start from back after grid penalty at Belgian Grand Prix

    Fernando Alonso and three others receive grid penalties at Spa for exceeding power‑unit component limits, forcing Alonso to start from the back.

  9. 11 days ago

    [SPORTS] 9 sources
    Aston Martin F1 readies new Honda engine and car for Spa and Hungary races

    Aston Martin's new Honda engine is set for its debut at the Dutch GP, while the team braces for a tough Spa weekend and limited spare parts ahead of a major upgrade at the Hungarian GP.

  10. 13 days ago

    [SPORTS] 12 sources
    Aston Martin to receive new Honda power unit at Dutch Grand Prix

    Honda will upgrade Aston Martin's struggling 2026 power unit after Belgium and Hungary, debuting the new spec at the Dutch GP, with the team also rolling out major chassis work for Hungary.

  11. 16 days ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Aston Martin F1 chief Adrian Newey apologises to Fernando Alonso over driver communication lapse

    Aston Martin F1 chief Adrian Newey admitted failing to consult drivers, apologised to Fernando Alonso and promised upgrades for the Hungarian GP, urging the Spanish veteran to stay as the team battles from the‑

  12. 16 days ago

    [SPORTS] 15 sources
    Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin upgrades are only the first step, not a fix

    Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin's Hungarian upgrade is only the first step; more development is needed to become competitive.

  13. 19 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin Honda suffers aerodynamic failure at British Grand Prix

    Aston Martin Honda’s AMR26 suffered severe aerodynamic failure at the British GP, causing extreme under‑steer, multiple track‑limit penalties and a 15‑second penalty for driver Lance Stroll.

  14. 20 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Aston Martin plans further 2026 F1 upgrades amid performance woes

    Aston Martin will unveil a major upgrade at the Hungarian GP and a new Honda engine in the Netherlands, aiming for Q2 points while noting that further development depends on the budget cap.

  15. 21 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin shuts down on Silverstone formation lap

    Alonso’s Aston Martin shut down on the Silverstone formation lap, forcing a pit‑lane start; he finished 18th and warned that such failures must not happen as the car improves, while also criticising battery‑ass

  16. 22 days ago

    [SPORTS] 29 sources
    Silverstone Grand Prix ends under safety car after FIA software glitch

    The Silverstone GP ended under safety car after a software glitch showed a false “Safety Car In this lap” message; the FIA confirmed the error and that procedures were correctly followed. Leclerc won, Russell P

  17. 23 days ago

    [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Aston Martin F1 chief Adrian Newey apologises for troubled 2026 car

    Aston Martin F1 chief Adrian Newey apologised for the 2026 car’s poor performance, citing development delays, a weak Honda engine and vibration issues, and said upgrades at Hungary and Zandvoort aim to fix the

  18. 26 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin receives Honda engine upgrade ahead of Hungarian Grand Prix

    Honda will deliver a major engine upgrade to Aston Martin for the 2026 F1 season, targeting the Dutch race and aiming for full performance by the Hungarian Grand Prix, with drivers hopeful but cautious.

  19. 26 days ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    Fernando Alonso doubts enjoyment of Silverstone race amid Aston Martin's 2026 car woes

    Fernando Alonso warned the Silverstone GP will be “sad” due to 2026 energy‑recovery limits, while Aston Martin pushes a major upgrade and Newey hopes the improvements will keep Alonso for another season.

  20. 27 days ago

    [SPORTS] 16 sources
    Aston Martin targets Hungarian upgrade to retain Fernando Alonso

    Aston Martin’s poor 2026 season spurs Adrian Newey to unveil a major Hungarian upgrade – weight reduction, new nose and aero tweaks – aimed at rescuing the team and keeping Fernando Alonso for 2027.

  21. 30 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Honda fixes major Aston Martin power‑unit vibration during F1 break

    During a five‑week F1 break, Honda used testing at its Japan base to resolve extreme vibration issues in Aston Martin’s power unit, improving reliability for upcoming races.

  22. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Honda-Aston Martin Formula 1 partnership plagued by engine vibrations

    Honda admits its new engine for Aston Martin suffers severe vibrations and a performance gap, blaming disrupted development and new F1 rules; fixes are underway ahead of the Belgian GP.

  23. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin plans major mid‑season upgrade after weak showings in Monaco and Barcelona

    After back‑of‑the‑grid qualifying in Monaco and Barcelona, Aston Martin will launch a major upgrade package at the Belgian GP and may reveal a redesigned AMR26 at the Hungarian GP.

  24. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Fernando Alonso discusses Aston Martin woes with Adrian Newey

    Fernando Alonso says he’s consulting Adrian Newey to fix Aston Martin’s struggling 2026 car after only one point in seven races, hoping upcoming upgrades will improve performance.

  25. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 11 sources
    Aston Martin faces comprehensive performance crisis in early 2026 F1 season

    Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 season sputters with no points after Monaco and Barcelona, as team chief Mike Krack says “it’s everything,” citing Honda power‑unit deficits and chassis issues, with upgrades only due at‑

  26. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Formula 1: Alonso says Verstappen faces unfair odds as Hamilton celebrates victory

    Alonso claims Verstappen faces unfair odds and may finish fifth, while Hamilton celebrates his 2026 win; Verstappen departs Monaco early.

  27. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin suffers double retirement at Barcelona Formula 1 Grand Prix

    Aston Martin’s Alonso and Stroll retired from the Barcelona GP due to battery and gearbox failures, prompting the team to focus on upcoming upgrades.

  28. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 14 sources
    Barcelona GP 2026: Hülkenberg P9, Pérez 19th, Russell on pole

    Hülkenberg qualified ninth but retired after a safety‑pull failure; Pérez qualified 19th and expects upgrades for Austria; Russell took pole at the Barcelona GP 2026.

  29. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Fernando Alonso laments Aston Martin woes after Barcelona qualifying

    Alonso and Stroll criticised Aston Martin’s under‑performance at Barcelona qualifying, citing engine, aerodynamics and gearbox problems while looking ahead to mid‑season upgrades.

  30. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 11 sources
    Fernando Alonso calls Aston Martin's car the worst on grid after last‑place qualifying in Barcelona

    Fernando Alonso qualified last at Barcelona, calling Aston Martin’s car the worst on the grid and blaming a weak engine, aerodynamics and gearbox issues, while the team plans a major mid‑season upgrade.

  31. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Honda-backed Aston Martin faces Barcelona GP setback as Stroll retires; upcoming power‑unit rules may help

    Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll retired at the Barcelona GP while Fernando Alonso fought back from the pit lane; new FIA power‑unit rules set for 2027‑28 could benefit Honda’s future F1 efforts.

  32. about 1 month ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin plagued by engine and aerodynamic issues in Spanish Grand Prix qualifying

    Aston Martin's AMR26 suffered severe engine and aerodynamic problems at the Spanish GP, leaving Alonso and Stroll at the back of qualifying as the team works on a new car.

  33. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Fernando Alonso qualifies last as Aston Martin struggles at Catalonia GP

    Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso qualified last at the Catalonia GP after weak practice pace, prompting fan criticism and calls for a team change.

  34. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin's AMR26 Shows Potential but Battles Understeer in Monaco

    Aston Martin's AMR26, now using a Honda engine, faces development delays and severe understeer in Monaco, though it may be top‑5 on some tracks, says Pedro de la Rosa.

  35. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Max Verstappen praises Monaco run as criticism of 2026 F1 cars continues

    Max Verstappen praised Monaco's layout for easing the 2026 F1 car issues, while Hamilton and Alonso kept criticizing the new regulations ahead of 2030.

  36. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Fernando Alonso slams 2026 F1 hybrid cars as worst ever after Monaco practice

    Fernando Alonso called the 2026 F1 hybrid cars the worst ever, citing unpredictable engine braking and battery issues, and argued that hybrid cars should not race.

  37. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 8 sources
    Fernando Alonso calls 2026 F1 cars the worst ever at Monaco

    Fernando Alonso slammed the 2026 F1 cars as the worst ever at Monaco, citing hybrid braking inconsistencies, random downshifts and chronic under‑steer, while Aston Martin struggles with an unpredictable AMR26.

  38. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Monaco Grand Prix exposes Aston Martin woes and Mercedes surprise

    At Monaco, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso lamented chronic handling issues and finished 21st, while Mercedes’ George Russell was stunned as Andrea Kimi Antonelli seized pole, leaving Russell sixth.

  39. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Fernando Alonso battles uncompetitive Aston Martin car at Monaco Grand Prix

    Fernando Alonso criticised Aston Martin's difficult‑to‑drive car at Monaco, pointing to gear‑shift problems, engine response and grip issues, and said the team will work on extensive fixes before qualifying.

  40. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 5 sources
    Aston Martin struggles at Monaco Grand Prix as Alonso criticises car performance

    Aston Martin’s AMR26 proved difficult in Monaco practice, with Fernando Alonso crashing and calling it the worst generation of car, while Ferrari’s Leclerc led times and rookie Antonelli shone in qualifying.

  41. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Aston Martin struggles with performance at Monaco Grand Prix

    Aston Martin’s AMR26 struggled at Monaco due to power‑unit, gearbox and chassis issues, leaving drivers Alonso and Stroll with little chance of points, though summer upgrades are hoped to help.

  42. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Fernando Alonso says F1 hybrid era robbed the sport of a decade of pure racing

    Fernando Alonso criticised F1’s hybrid era as a lost decade, saying power‑unit rules favour energy management over driver skill and that upcoming 2027 tweaks won’t solve the issue.

Sources

4troxoi.gr · ar.marca.com · arabnews.pk · as-web.jp · ausgolf.com.au · auto-moto.com · autogear.pt · autohebdo.fr · autoracing.com.br · autoracing1.com · autosport.com · autosport.pt · avdeportes.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · calabrianews.it · caranddriver.es · careta.my · cbnsantos.com.br · chinaqw.com · civilservice.gov.tw · clbc.ca · co.marca.com · consumeradvocates.org · crash.net · cyrkf1.pl · delabahia.com.ar · diariomotor.com · egnews.it · egriuges.hu · elcorreoweb.es · eldiario24.com · elfinanciero.com.mx · elnacional.cat · es.motorsport.com · esdiario.com · europesays.com · excelsior.com.mx · f1analisitecnica.com · f1head.nl · f1i.com · f1i.fr · f1journaal.be · f1mania.net · f1maximaal.nl · f1sport.auto.cz · f1vilag.hu · f1world.it · f1zone.pl