Honda believes the Italian Grand Prix will provide a major test of its updated Spec 2 Formula 1 power unit after its debut with Aston Martin at Zandvoort. Shintaro Orihara, HRC Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, says the upgrade delivered the expected performance and reliability gains in the Dutch Grand Prix, but admits drivability remains an important weakness that must be improved ahead of power-sensitive Monza.
The updated Honda power unit made its competitive debut during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend as Aston Martin continued its attempt to recover from a difficult start to the 2026 season. While the new specification achieved encouraging results in some areas, the first race also highlighted how much work remains before the package can deliver its full potential.
Honda explains Aston Martin Spec 2 drivability problems
Asked whether the drivability issues had already emerged during the filming day held after the Hungarian Grand Prix, Shintaro Orihara told As-web: “Basically, when you change the combustion parameters, you need to redo the drivability settings from scratch. During the development process, you first check the performance of the hardware, meaning the internal combustion engine itself, then you verify reliability and only at the end do you move on to tuning the drivability.”
Honda’s revised power unit arrived as Aston Martin was also attempting to improve the AMR26 chassis, with the relationship between the two technical programmes becoming increasingly important. The difficulties have even led to discussion over Aston Martin’s longer-term power unit options if Honda’s problems persist.
“This time,” Orihara continued, “the specification change was quite extensive, so the change in behaviour was significant. We had prepared for it, but we were not yet able to completely absorb all the discontinuities. It’s not just the engine: as Mike Krack often points out, with the chassis you also cannot extract 100% of the performance from the first day of an upgrade. After introducing a new specification, the improvement work based on the data collected becomes fundamental.”
Honda Spec 2 meets power and reliability targets at Zandvoort
Assessing the overall performance of the Spec 2 introduced in the Netherlands, Orihara said Honda had seen its dynamometer findings reproduced on track.
“In terms of performance, the figures we had recorded on the dyno were confirmed on track as well. As for reliability, we managed to complete the weekend without problems, so in that respect things went as expected.”
However, feedback from the Aston Martin drivers showed that the work was far from complete.
“The drivers, though, told us there are still areas to improve in terms of drivability. That was something we had already anticipated because when you change the combustion, you need to update the drivability maps that had previously been built. We had worked towards the Netherlands, but the changes introduced had not yet been managed comprehensively enough.”
“The comments came from the first runs on Friday; during the night between Friday and Saturday, we carried out further tests on the HRC dyno at Sakura based on that feedback and brought corrections for qualifying. We achieved some improvement, but we are still not at the level of stable torque delivery. Drivability therefore remains an area we need to continue working on.”
Honda confirms Spec 2 maximum-power gains
Asked whether the performance gains were mainly related to maximum power, Orihara confirmed that Honda had achieved the figures expected from its development work.
“Yes. The values we saw on the dyno were also reproduced on track. It’s true that there are critical areas in terms of drivability, but we have verified that as we intervene and improve things step by step, the performance increases. For that reason, we do not consider the Spec 2 a failure.”
“It would be ideal to be able to extract 100% from the very beginning, but encountering these difficulties is part of the development process. From now on, it will be important to progressively mature this specification.”
The improvement is particularly important for a partnership that experienced major difficulties earlier in the season. Adrian Newey has nevertheless indicated that the working relationship between Aston Martin and Honda has strengthened as both sides attempt to close the gap to Formula 1’s leading teams.
Zandvoort data gives Honda valuable information before Monza
Orihara also highlighted the additional benefits Honda gained by completing the Dutch Grand Prix without reliability problems.
“Confirming reliability in line with our expectations was positive. In addition, being able to observe the engine’s behaviour throughout the race, from the start to the finish, in many different conditions, including the launch procedures, represented a tangible gain.”
“Some aspects went as expected, while others were slightly different. Collecting this data allows us to work on the set-up for the following races, which is why the Dutch weekend represented an important step.”
Honda expects difficult Italian GP at Monza
Monza will provide a very different examination of the updated Honda power unit. With its long straights and heavy emphasis on power unit performance, the Temple of Speed is likely to expose any remaining deficit more clearly than Zandvoort.
Orihara therefore remains realistic about Aston Martin’s prospects despite the progress made with the new specification.
“Unfortunately, even though we have updated the power unit, we are still not at the level of the best. Consequently, we expect a difficult race at Monza.”
For Honda, the Italian Grand Prix will therefore be about more than outright results. Improving torque delivery and drivability while continuing to validate the Spec 2’s performance and reliability will be crucial if Aston Martin is to extract more from the package over the remaining races of the 2026 season.
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