Honda confirms power unit upgrade Aston Martin at Dutch GP

Honda has confirmed it is targeting the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort in late August to introduce a significantly revised power unit for the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. The upgrade, described by Honda's trackside general manager Shintaro Orihara as a "reasonable big step," is part of a two-stage effort to improve the team's performance after a difficult start to the 2026 season.

The announcement sets a clear timeline for a package that has been anticipated for weeks. Aston Martin plans to debut a major chassis upgrade, described as a B-spec car, at the Hungarian Grand Prix in late July, just before the sport's summer break. The Honda power unit update is then slated to follow at the next race in the Netherlands. This staggered approach is intended to first improve the car's platform before adding more power.

Orihara outlined the technical focus of the engine changes, stating they are purely internal. The modifications center on improving combustion performance by altering the combustion chamber shape and pre-chamber, reducing friction through a revised lubrication system, and enhancing reliability to support the increased performance. He emphasized that improving drivability is...