Honda confirms Aston Martin power unit upgrade for Dutch GP

Honda will introduce a new power unit for the Aston Martin Formula 1 team at the Dutch Grand Prix in August, following the sport's summer break. The manufacturer's trackside chief, Shintaro Orihara, confirmed the timeline, stating the team has two more races with its current specification before the upgrade arrives at Zandvoort.

The development comes after a difficult first half of the 2026 season for Aston Martin, which has struggled for performance and reliability. The team has scored only a single championship point, earned by Fernando Alonso during a chaotic Monaco Grand Prix, and has frequently competed at the back of the grid alongside newcomers Cadillac. Earlier issues with extreme engine vibrations affecting drivers Alonso and Lance Stroll have been largely resolved, but power unit performance remains a significant weakness.

The upcoming upgrade is permitted under the FIA's Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) system, a regulatory mechanism designed to help underperforming power unit manufacturers close the gap to their rivals. Honda qualified for this allowance after the first checks of the season, granting it extra scope for development.