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Honda’s general manager of track operations and chief engineer, Shintaro Orihara, has confirmed that Aston Martin will not be receiving any ‘major improvements’ in engine performance with their new upgrades for the Miami Grand Prix.
After it became clear that F1 would be taking a five-week break due to the ongoing escalations in the Middle East, many thought that it would provide Honda with the perfect opportunity to right the wrongs in their 2026 power unit.
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The poor performance of Honda’s new engine proved to be one of the biggest talking points of pre-season, following the high expectations that were laid on Adrian Newey’s first F1 car for the Aston Martin outfit.
However, confirmation over the work that Honda have been doing over the past five weeks has indicated that fans of the British constructor may have to wait a little bit longer before they see Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll break into the top ten.
- READ MORE: Aston Martin were destined to struggle after Adrian Newey found crucial error in AMR26 development
Honda confirm the AMR26 will not receive any performance ‘improvements’ at Miami GP
Honda chief Shintaro Orihara shared an update on the work that has gone on behind the scenes at the Japanese manufacturer’s Sakura headquarters during the five-week break between the Suzuka and Miami rounds.
He told journalists via Motorsport Espana, The break has been long but intense, marked by considerable work done in collaboration with the Aston Martin team, both in Japan and in the UK.
“The Japanese GP showed that our efforts are on the right track and has helped us find the necessary motivation to keep moving forward.
“After this race, we took the opportunity to leave one of the AMR26s there with the aim of carrying out static tests at Sakura for the first time, focusing all our efforts on reducing vibrations and, consequently, improving reliability.”
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After detailing that reliability was the main focus of their efforts over the break, Orihara confirmed that Alonso and Stroll shouldn’t be expecting any bumps in performance at the Miami International Autodrome.
He added, “We have made some progress, which will allow us to implement corrective measures for Miami and later in the season.
“Realistically, this progress will not have a visible impact on engine performance on track; therefore, no major improvements should be expected in this area.”
- READ MORE: Guenther Steiner says ‘amazing’ Honda ‘always come back’ amid 2026 Aston Martin struggles
Fernando Alonso also shared an update on his F1 future over the five-week break
While the Honda chief’s update may not be exactly what Aston Martin fans had hoped for, Alonso’s latest comments on his future in F1 may be something for them to cheer about.
During an appearance at the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco last weekend, the 32-time Grand Prix winner stated that he hopes the current F1 season doesn’t end up being his final campaign in the sport.
Alonso’s Aston Martin contract expires at the end of 2026, but his future plans remained a mystery until his statement in Monte Carlo, leading fans to highlight how he can still perform to the best of his abilities at the wheel of F1 machinery.
It remains to be seen whether Lawrence Stroll will opt to renew Alonso’s deal at Silverstone for 2027. Even at 44 years of age, there is no doubt that the Spaniard would bolster any F1 team that he applies his services to.
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