Honda has identified reliability as a major positive from the debut of its new Spec 2 Formula 1 power unit at the Dutch Grand Prix, with both engines completing the Zandvoort weekend without significant problems. However, Shintaro Orihara has acknowledged that drivability remains an important weakness that still needs to be addressed for Aston Martin.
The Dutch Grand Prix marked the first race weekend for Honda’s new Spec 2 power unit, which was introduced alongside Aston Martin’s latest developments in an attempt to improve the British team’s competitiveness. Judging solely by Fernando Alonso’s ninth-place finish after an impressive race, there were signs of progress, although comments from both Alonso and Lance Stroll made clear that the package has not yet delivered everything they need.
Honda Spec 2 engine completes Zandvoort without major reliability issues
Both Aston Martin drivers struggled with drivability throughout the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. Honda is already working to address those problems, but the Japanese manufacturer was able to take encouragement from another important aspect of the new specification: reliability.
Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, highlighted the fact that both new engines completed their first full Grand Prix weekend without any significant reliability concerns.
“First of all, both new Spec 2 engines ran throughout the Dutch Grand Prix weekend without any significant reliability issues,” Shintaro Orihara said.
“We know that we can improve the drivability and this remains crucial for the upcoming races.”
Honda turns attention to Aston Martin drivability problems
Reliability was therefore an encouraging first step, but Honda’s work with the new specification is far from complete. The changed characteristics of the power unit have created drivability challenges that both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll experienced at Zandvoort.
Those issues will remain one of Honda’s main priorities as it continues to refine the Spec 2 package over the coming Grands Prix.
“The two points we scored are a good result, especially considering the amount of work required to introduce the Spec 2 engine this weekend,” Shintaro Orihara continued.
Fernando Alonso secured those two points with ninth place, making the most of an improved Aston Martin package despite the remaining limitations.
Honda adjusted energy management to protect Alonso’s P9
Honda’s contribution was not limited to the underlying performance of the new engine. During the closing stages of the Dutch Grand Prix, the manufacturer also worked with Aston Martin to manage the energy available to Alonso while Pierre Gasly applied pressure from behind.
“In the final stages of the race, we focused on maintaining the gap to Gasly and optimised our energy-management strategy to achieve that,” Shintaro Orihara explained.
“It’s a good result and we’ll continue to focus on making further improvements in the future.”
The first weekend for Honda’s Spec 2 engine therefore produced a mixed but broadly encouraging picture. Drivability remains an important problem for Aston Martin to solve, but completing an entire Grand Prix weekend with both new power units and no significant reliability issues gives Honda a stronger foundation from which to continue developing the package.
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