Aston Martin’s progress in Formula 1 is beginning to show signs of improvement, with the team completing a crucial filming day at the Hungaroring to evaluate Honda’s upgraded power unit ahead of the second half of the 2026 season.
Key Takeaways:
- Aston Martin tested Honda’s upgraded RA626H power unit at the Hungaroring.
- The B-spec AMR26 showed encouraging improvements at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
- Honda’s upgraded engine is expected to deliver up to 30bhp more power.
- Aston Martin hopes the improvements can help Alonso and Stroll fight for more points after the summer break.
Aston Martin Builds on Hungarian GP Progress
While Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto continued Pirelli’s 2027 tyre testing programme, Aston Martin shifted its focus from tyre development to testing the latest updates introduced by Adrian Newey’s technical team.
The session provided an important opportunity to analyse the performance of the upgraded AMR26 package, including Honda’s long-awaited engine improvements.
The filming day came shortly after Aston Martin introduced its B-spec AMR26 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, featuring major updates to both the chassis and aerodynamic package. The improvements immediately helped the team move closer to the midfield battle, with Fernando Alonso reaching Q2 in qualifying for the first time this season.
Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll eventually finished 14th and 13th respectively, marking a positive step forward after a difficult opening phase of the campaign. The improved performance gave Aston Martin valuable momentum heading into the summer break.
Honda’s New Power Unit Takes Centre Stage
Unlike a traditional filming day focused primarily on promotional content, Aston Martin used the opportunity to evaluate Honda’s upgraded RA626H power unit. The test programme was handed to reserve driver Jak Crawford, allowing the team and Honda engineers to gather important technical data without relying on the regular race drivers.
By comparing information from the Hungaroring race weekend with data collected during the test, Honda and Aston Martin were able to assess the effectiveness of the new engine package, despite filming days being limited to the use of demonstration tyres.
Encouraging Signs After Early Season Struggles
The early feedback from the test has reportedly been positive, with the session believed to have gone smoothly. Most importantly, the vibration issues that affected Honda’s power unit during the start of the season appear to have been resolved.
Honda’s upgrade is expected to make its competitive debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 23 August, marking the first race after the summer break. The new engine is believed to provide up to 30bhp in additional power, offering Aston Martin a valuable boost as it looks to close the gap to stronger rivals.
Can Aston Martin Become a Regular Points Contender?
While the Honda upgrade alone is unlikely to immediately challenge the likes of Mercedes or Red Bull-Ford, it represents another important step in Aston Martin’s rebuilding process.
Combined with the improved AMR26 package and Adrian Newey’s technical direction, the upgrades could provide Alonso and Stroll with the extra performance needed to compete more consistently for points at suitable circuits.
After a challenging start to 2026, Aston Martin’s recent progress offers renewed optimism that the team can turn its season around and become a stronger force in the second half of the championship.
