Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin is worse than any of his Honda-era McLarens, and this data proves it

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Many people have likened Fernando Alonso’s struggles with Aston Martin in 2026 to his time with Honda-powered McLarens. But, in fact, it is much worse.

The Spaniard rejoined McLaren from Ferrari in 2015 and spent four seasons with the team before deciding to walk away from the sport, albeit briefly, in 2018. For the first three years, he drove with a Honda engine.

During that time, Alonso lamented his machinery’s lack of performance and reliability, even referring to the Honda power unit as a ‘GP2 engine’ in 2015. Now, in 2026, he has reunited with the Japanese manufacturer at Aston Martin, and it is like deja vu, but worse.

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After three races in 2026, Alonso has registered Aston Martin’s only finish of the season in Japan, coming home 18th. He and Lance Stroll have been desperately off the pace in the AMR26, which is suffering from a lack of power and severe vibration issues.

Alonso had to take his hands off the steering wheel in Shanghai due to the vibrations, which have caused a severe health risk. Honda claimed that the problems were significantly resolved at Suzuka, but Alonso took his hand off the wheel again during the race, proving them wrong.

Jolyon Palmer likened Alonso’s 2026 woes to McLaren Honda and the troubles he faced with the team back in pre-season testing. But as the data shows, this season with Aston Martin has been even more of a disaster.

Aston Martin’s AMR26 is worse than any of Fernando Alonso’s McLaren Hondas

After three race weekends in 2026, including the China Sprint, the average qualifying deficit that Aston Martin are facing is over four seconds, with an average grid position of 18.67. Alonso and Stroll have completed 62.87% of laps thus far.

Compared to the McLaren Hondas of 2015, 2016 and 2017, the AMR26 is miles off what the previous Honda power unit could produce.

In 2015, the MP4-30 had an average qualifying deficit of 2.94, with an average grid position of 16.67 and 77.65% of laps completed. McLaren finished that season in ninth place with 27 points.

Things improved in 2016 in terms of qualifying and average grid position, but reliability proved a bit more of an issue as 72.94% of laps were completed. Even then, it is significantly better than Alonso’s current position.

Alonso’s final McLaren Honda, the MP4-32, was way more reliable, with 80.59% of laps completed, but was more underpowered, with a worse quali deficit and average grid position. But still, it is miles ahead of where Aston Martin are right now in 2026.

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Can Aston Martin save Fernando Alonso from more Honda woes?

Palmer says Aston Martin have made Alonso look like a test driver with how he has only completed one race in 2026. The team will be working tirelessly to fix the friction between them and Honda and work on a solution to the AMR26’s problems.

With Adrian Newey now stepping back into his traditional role behind the scenes, helping to develop the car, it could significantly improve their fortunes as the season progresses.

Can Aston Martin’s relationship with Honda survive long-term?

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But it will depend on whether the two parties can work harmoniously, which they have not done at all in 2026. Honda ‘top officials’ blame Aston Martin for the vibration issues.

Honda knows how demanding Alonso can be from his time at McLaren. He will be desperate to see his woes end, especially after struggling so much with their engines in the past.