Honda have ‘growing concerns’ over 2026 engine as Lawrence Stroll personally bankrolls development

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The partnership between Aston Martin and Honda should be incredibly exciting for both parties, but before a wheel has even turned during pre-season testing, concerns are already emerging.

After being a Mercedes customer engine team for some time, Aston Martin acquired exclusive rights to use Honda power units from 2026 onwards.

There might be mixed feelings for star driver Fernando Alonso about linking up with Honda again after a disastrous partnership during his time at McLaren.

Alonso previously called Honda’s power unit an F2 engine, but the Japanese manufacturer went on to help Red Bull and Max Verstappen dominate the sport.

Honda initially looked like they were going to pull out of Formula 1, with Red Bull seeking a partnership with Porsche before eventually teaming up with Ford going into 2026.

Aston Martin convinced Honda to continue in the sport, but that U-turn might have set them back heading into F1’s new regulation set, despite chairman Lawrence Stroll throwing money at the problem.

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Honda have ‘missed a trick’ ahead of debut Formula 1 season working with Aston Martin

A video from The Race on Honda’s issues, narrated by journalist Matt Beer, has shared more of the issues that the Japanese manufacturer faces.

He said: “When their engines are running, and the metals expand due to the heat that comes with that, the compression ratio grows, and in total, there’s a small but significant power increase to go with that.

“So Honda’s missed a trick and is one of the manufacturers pushing for the FIA to do something about it.

“But nothing’s expected to change for the start of the season, and even doing something during the year will be a challenge.

“So that’s a baked-in disadvantage potentially for the whole year. That means Honda’s behind the curve. And additionally to that specific loophole, there is growing concern over the potential overall performance and reliability of Honda’s new engine.

“Honda can’t throw unlimited resources at the 2026 project. There’s an engine cost cap now, and this Honda arrangement is a bit more, shall we say, sensible than the success at any cost project that led to the Red Bull championship wins.

“It’s also been rumoured that the Lawrence Stroll Aston Martin side is bankrolling development, and Honda itself is more reluctant to spend excessively on F1.”

READ MORE: Honda president shares his stance on bringing Max Verstappen from Red Bull to Aston Martin

FIA set to decide on Mercedes and Red Bull engine loophole before pre-season testing starts

One of the biggest concerns for Aston Martin will be the fact that Mercedes and Red Bull might have already left them behind before testing has even started.

A loophole focused on engine compression ratios could give the teams powered by Mercedes and Red Bull-Ford power units a distinct advantage during a ruleset when power units are set to play a key role in the hierarchy on the grid.

If it proves to be that effective, the FIA may feel they need to step in, but it would also leave the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari and Audi battling for P7 at best in the constructors’ championship.

A report from F1 Insider suggests that the FIA is meeting with all of the teams on January 22 to discuss the engine loophole.

If it isn’t closed, then Honda, which appears to be struggling with the engine cost cap and losing key staff to Red Bull and other teams, will have to find a way to claw back that advantage.

Otherwise, Alonso’s previous concerns about Honda from a decade ago will quickly return.