Honda’s unique position among F1’s power unit suppliers should not be underestimated by Aston Martin, one former driver believes.
Aston Martin has been cautioned to treat new engine partner Honda as a fresh endeavor due to initial difficulties faced during testing. The Honda-powered AMR26 experienced reliability issues, completing the fewest laps with just 394, primarily struggling with battery problems in the new power units. Fernando Alonso had a failure in the final test, followed by Lance Stroll’s limited laps as solutions were sought out by the partnership. Honda is back in F1 for the 2026 season, distinct from its previous alliances, necessitating the establishment of a new power unit company and training of engineers. Anthony Davidson emphasized that 2026 will be challenging for Honda, as they are essentially starting from scratch, but remains optimistic about their progress in the future. Broadcasting of the 2026 World Championship will begin live from Melbourne, Australia on Sky Sports, the leading platform for Formula 1 in the UK & Ireland.
