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Max Verstappen has sent Honda his best wishes for the 2026 Formula 1 season as their project with Aston Martin has got off to a terrible start.
The Red Bull driver enjoyed an incredible spell with Honda when they joined the Milton Keynes outfit in 2019. The Japanese manufacturer was arguably the driving force for Verstappen’s success, as he went on to win four consecutive titles between 2021 and 2024.
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There were discussions of Honda and Red Bull continuing together, but it was deemed too risky as the 2026 F1 regulations approached. Subsequently, the former entered a partnership with Aston Martin, while the latter became an engine supplier for the first time.
Honda’s president would ‘welcome’ Verstappen at Aston Martin, highlighting the great relationship the two parties have. The four-time champion has been linked with the Silverstone outfit for 2027, but he has seen firsthand how far behind the team looks in 2026 testing.
Max Verstappen hopes Honda do well in 2026 amid Aston Martin testing woes
Aston Martin have encountered several issues during pre-season testing in Bahrain. Lance Stroll claimed that they are four seconds off the pace at the first test, and things have not improved in the second.
The Canadian beached his car at turn 11 after losing drive, with Bernie Collins labelling Aston Martin as the ‘slowest’ car. Journalist Ronald Vording discussed the team problems from the paddock via Motorsport.com Nederland.
“So, all in all, not a great day for Aston,” he said. “It’s nice, though, isn’t it, that Aston Martin is a bit of a team in the spotlight, and not in a good way, because there’s a lot of work to be done there.
“Stroll said last week, of course: ‘Yes, we’re 4 seconds [slower] per lap.’ That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the consensus is that there is certainly [a problem] with the Honda engine and also with their own gearbox, because that should not be forgotten.
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“Aston Martin is making that for the first time this year. But there is still a lot of work to be done with those things.”
Vording then talked about the Dutch media session, where he asked Verstappen about Honda’s issues with Aston Martin.
“And about that engine, that was very nice. I asked Max Verstappen in the Dutch media session and he said: ‘Yes, I don’t know exactly where they stand, but I do hope that Honda will do well.’
“Max has, of course, had a lot of success with Honda, still has warm feelings for Honda and said: ‘Yes, I wish them the very best and I do hope that together with Aston, they will get that up and running.”
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Adrian Newey’s first Aston Martin design has disappointed staff
It is clear that Aston Martin have significant work to do if they want to be competitive. It was expected, internally and externally, that the legendary designer would propel the team forward under the new regulations.
However, Newey’s design has disappointed staff, as they had expected his chassis to work from the off. Instead, they are clearly struggling against their rivals, with much of the issue being with Honda.
Honda’s engine cost Aston Martin 1.5s per lap in the first test in Bahrain after studying the GPS data. The Japanese manufacturer were rumoured to be behind on their power unit heading into pre-season testing.
It is still early days, but it is obvious that Aston Martin are playing catch-up. Newey has his work cut out to fix the situation, with team owner Lawrence Stroll having a ‘face like thunder’ after he saw the car in testing.
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