Aston Martin will give Honda’s upgraded Formula 1 power unit its first track test in the AMR26 on Wednesday, 29 July, during a filming day in Budapest. The new engine specification is then scheduled to make its competitive debut at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, representing the next important stage of the Silverstone team’s attempted revival.
Honda’s development follows the extensive AMR26 update package introduced by Adrian Newey’s technical group at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Those changes produced encouraging signs at the Hungaroring, but Aston Martin must now address the significant power and reliability deficit that also contributed to its difficult first half of the championship.
Aston Martin begins revival with major AMR26 upgrades
Aston Martin completed the first step in its recovery programme during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, and the outcome was reasonably positive. The numerous updates brought to Budapest allowed the British team to move away from the chronic last-place position it had occupied over recent months and compete on more equal terms with the other teams towards the rear of the field.
The extensively revised Aston Martin AMR26 enabled Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso to finish 13th and 14th respectively. It was the team’s best result of the season apart from the chaotic Monaco Grand Prix, where Fernando Alonso crossed the line in 10th place.
Although the Budapest upgrades did not immediately move Aston Martin into the points, they allowed the team to rejoin the battle with its nearest rivals. The aerodynamic and chassis progress must now be complemented by improvements from Honda.
Honda engine upgrade planned for the Dutch Grand Prix
Honda is expected to introduce its evolved power unit after the summer break at the Dutch Grand Prix. Developed with the benefit of the concessions available through the ADUO system, the upgraded engine should help Aston Martin reduce its horsepower deficit to the other Formula 1 teams.
The Japanese manufacturer’s considerable performance and reliability problems during the first half of the championship played a significant role in Aston Martin’s disastrous results. The new specification is therefore an essential part of the team’s efforts to become more competitive during the second half of 2026.
Its planned introduction at Zandvoort will make the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix weekend particularly important for Aston Martin and Honda, with the upgraded chassis and power unit expected to run together competitively for the first time.
Aston Martin Honda engine upgrade to run in Budapest
The first indication of the upgraded engine’s potential will arrive this week. Aston Martin will return to the Hungaroring on Wednesday, 29 July, for a filming day following the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Honda will use the occasion to run its more powerful power unit for the first time. Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s trackside general manager and chief engineer, confirmed the programme after the race in Hungary.
“In Hungary, we supported the team with the integration of the power unit,” Shintaro Orihara said. “We were also able to collect crucial data that will be useful ahead of the next race.
“We will now take an important step by introducing our new-specification power unit in the Netherlands. Before then, during Wednesday’s filming day, we will test the new engine in the AMR26 for the first time, ahead of the start of the summer break.”
Leave a Reply