Adrian Newey believes that the partnership between Aston Martin and Honda grew stronger throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season, despite a start considered “disastrous.” The engine showed low reliability, lack of power, and difficulties with a vibration that even raised concerns about possible permanent nerve damage to the drivers.
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Additionally, the Aston Martin car also showed little competitiveness at the start of the championship. For Newey, however, the difficult moment brought the two companies closer and strengthened the working relationship: “I think what really evolved is actually the word you just used: relationship,” the engineer told the press at the Hungarian GP.
“Faced with what can only be called a disastrous start, the positive side of this is that it brought Honda and us at AMR closer in a very close working relationship.”
Newey stated that the partnership continues to evolve in different areas and highlighted that a stronger relationship can contribute to better results. “We continue to develop this in all areas. So, I am very pleased with the progress we are making from a relationship point of view. Usually, if relationships improve, performance also improves.”
Honda is preparing an updated power unit for the Dutch GP, after the Formula 1 summer break. The new engine, presented during an Aston Martin filming day in Hungary, is expected to bring a gain of about 30 horsepower.
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The update arrives along with a package of changes to the Aston Martin car, which received positive evaluations from Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll at the Hungarian GP. Alonso advanced to Q2 for the first time this season, while Stroll achieved his best result of the year, finishing 13th.
Newey assessed that the novelties represent an important step forward but acknowledged that the team is still in the process of recovery. “The technical evolution, in terms of the car we brought here and then the updates we will take to Zandvoort and then to Baku, yes, I feel they were very strong steps.”
“We are clearly in a big recovery game. Will this make us the fastest car? Unfortunately, no. But does it represent a good advance compared to where we were? Yes, I believe so.”
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