2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[mzso]

Do people really still think that with the best engine, AM can compete in the midfield?
Unfortunately, the reality is very different, and the Monaco debacle was the final nail in the coffin for this project.
As mentioned above, engine, chassis, suspension, energy recovery, and gearbox. How do you solve all of that?
Trying to blame everything on Honda is just hate. The whole team is guilty, and I mean EVERYONE.

In Monaco the drivers refused to shift to first gear for better recover because of engine drive-ability, and when Stroll relented he immediately crashed.
So it's not like in Monaco the engine wasn't a factor in the poor results.

If Honda hasn't been working on performance upgrades since atleast January and Ferrari releases a ICE as soon as the FIA allows it... while Honda goes into delay delay delay. That will be even worse than it is now.

That would be ridiculous. And quite frankly idiotic. There's nothing but the cost cap limiting them on developing. Granting the ADUO would just increase the cost cap and allow them to deploy.

[diffuser]

If Honda hasn't been working on performance upgrades since atleast January and Ferrari releases a ICE as soon as the FIA allows it... while Honda goes into delay delay delay. That will be even worse than it is now.

That would be ridiculous. And quite frankly idiotic. There's nothing but the cost cap limiting them on developing. Granting the ADUO would just increase the cost cap and allow them to deploy.
[/quote]

Agreed, which is why I presumed it was a translation issue.

[etusch]

In Monaco the drivers refused to shift to first gear for better recover because of engine drive-ability, and when Stroll relented he immediately crashed.
So it's not like in Monaco the engine wasn't a factor in the poor results.

I don't think, no one here is trying to say that the engine has no effect at all. But we sometimes get involved in the futile task of trying to explain to those who are unwilling to understand that the engine isn't the only problem.

However, how much of a good engine feel can you get with a poorly functioning transmission? That's something to consider. If the transmission isn't working as expected, how can engine mapping solve the problem? Perhaps there are areas where those working on the chassis side are struggling because of the engine, but the same applies to the engine side as well. If the transmission and rear grip/df aren't helping you to achieve the rear braking you need to regenaration, wouldn't you experience this as a lack of maximum power from electric motor side? So maybe some of 70 hp power gap comes from low performance of the car.

[NAPI10]

Based on this article, aerodynamic upgrades are slated for Belgium and new engine upgrade are at Dutch GP -

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10861 ... -timeline/

[OnEcRiTiCaL]

Based on this article, aerodynamic upgrades are slated for Belgium and new engine upgrade are at Dutch GP -

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10861 ... -timeline/

And the gearbox?

[ispano6]

• You see the 110 points difference between Merc and McLaren? It's all because Merc is the "de facto works team". So that is the reason why you'd want to set up a works partnership.

• If you asking why Honda? well they were the only one on the outside looking in for a team.

• It is nolonger true that AMR F1 have no idea of what is going on at Honda. They have a team lead by Andy Cowell working out of Honda R&D in Japan. This was probably the biggest mistake made by AMR F1, not having anybody at Honda R&D till it was too late. Presume that Andy Cowell preferred to play team principle than make sure their future PU would be ready

• Either the Koji Watanabe (President Honda/HRC) or Shintaro Orihara (Honda's Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer) said in March that they brought over some of their most experienced guys from MotoGP to help bolster the ICE team.

• I think they both share blame in that Honda should be more responsible and AMR F1 cause of poor management. Is it possible that that to struggle is not seen as bad in Japanese culture if in the end you come out on top?

Honda wasn't on the outside looking in for a team. They were on the way out, and hence broke up the team to a support structure.

Lawrence Stroll convinced Honda to come back and be their works partner. It's only after it was decided they would partner AMR that they assembled a team to develop the next PU, which automatically put them behind other manufacturers by several months if not a year and adding to that the new fuel and lubricant suppliers to work with. Veterans like Asaki retired and didn't return.

For AMR and Stroll, being a works team was top priority.
He saw the success Honda helped bring RBR as their works team. So I would argue that Stroll has been the right leader all along, and that expectations from unrealistic fans of a budding works team to beat F1 stalwarts in their first season was only hoping for a BrawnGP miracle.

People here need to turn off the blame game and appreciate that other engine/fuel suppliers did it slightly although measurably better, likely in part thanks to their continuity in technical partners.

[diffuser]

Honda wasn't on the outside looking in for a team. They were on the way out, and hence broke up the team to a support structure.

Nope, If you look at the time line. Honda had signed back in with the FIA (the PU works group) more than a year before the signed with ANYBODY. In fact they were in discussions with another team before Aston Martin.

There was no blame game in my post.

Lawrence Stroll convinced Honda to come back and be their works partner. It's only after it was decided they would partner AMR that they assembled a team to develop the next PU, which automatically put them behind other manufacturers by several months if not a year and adding to that the new fuel and lubricant suppliers to work with. Veterans like Asaki retired and didn't return.

For AMR and Stroll, being a works team was top priority.
He saw the success Honda helped bring RBR as their works team. So I would argue that Stroll has been the right leader all along, and that expectations from unrealistic fans of a budding works team to beat F1 stalwarts in their first season was only hoping for a BrawnGP miracle.

People here need to turn off the blame game and appreciate that other engine/fuel suppliers did it slightly although measurably better, likely in part thanks to their continuity in technical partners.

[venkyhere]

• You see the 110 points difference between Merc and McLaren? It's all because Merc is the "de facto works team". So that is the reason why you'd want to set up a works partnership.

• If you asking why Honda? well they were the only one on the outside looking in for a team.

• It is nolonger true that AMR F1 have no idea of what is going on at Honda. They have a team lead by Andy Cowell working out of Honda R&D in Japan. This was probably the biggest mistake made by AMR F1, not having anybody at Honda R&D till it was too late. Presume that Andy Cowell preferred to play team principle than make sure their future PU would be ready

• Either the Koji Watanabe (President Honda/HRC) or Shintaro Orihara (Honda's Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer) said in March that they brought over some of their most experienced guys from MotoGP to help bolster the ICE team.

• I think they both share blame in that Honda should be more responsible and AMR F1 cause of poor management. Is it possible that that to struggle is not seen as bad in Japanese culture if in the end you come out on top?

Honda wasn't on the outside looking in for a team. They were on the way out, and hence broke up the team to a support structure.

Lawrence Stroll convinced Honda to come back and be their works partner. It's only after it was decided they would partner AMR that they assembled a team to develop the next PU, which automatically put them behind other manufacturers by several months if not a year and adding to that the new fuel and lubricant suppliers to work with. Veterans like Asaki retired and didn't return.

For AMR and Stroll, being a works team was top priority.
He saw the success Honda helped bring RBR as their works team. So I would argue that Stroll has been the right leader all along, and that expectations from unrealistic fans of a budding works team to beat F1 stalwarts in their first season was only hoping for a BrawnGP miracle.

People here need to turn off the blame game and appreciate that other engine/fuel suppliers did it slightly although measurably better, likely in part thanks to their continuity in technical partners.

Sorry, there is no justification for the absolute shambles this car is. This is not a fledgling team, it's a team with atleast a decade of experience. Look at cadillac - they are a first timer team, with a borrowed PU, and was put together only over 2024-2025. They have done a much better job of integrating the PU with the chassis. AMR has not. There is no excuse for the rainbow variety of issues plaguing the AMR26. It's a total failure. That's the naked truth, no matter how we dress up excuses.

[diffuser]

• You see the 110 points difference between Merc and McLaren? It's all because Merc is the "de facto works team". So that is the reason why you'd want to set up a works partnership.

• If you asking why Honda? well they were the only one on the outside looking in for a team.

• It is nolonger true that AMR F1 have no idea of what is going on at Honda. They have a team lead by Andy Cowell working out of Honda R&D in Japan. This was probably the biggest mistake made by AMR F1, not having anybody at Honda R&D till it was too late. Presume that Andy Cowell preferred to play team principle than make sure their future PU would be ready

• Either the Koji Watanabe (President Honda/HRC) or Shintaro Orihara (Honda's Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer) said in March that they brought over some of their most experienced guys from MotoGP to help bolster the ICE team.

• I think they both share blame in that Honda should be more responsible and AMR F1 cause of poor management. Is it possible that that to struggle is not seen as bad in Japanese culture if in the end you come out on top?

Honda wasn't on the outside looking in for a team. They were on the way out, and hence broke up the team to a support structure.

Lawrence Stroll convinced Honda to come back and be their works partner. It's only after it was decided they would partner AMR that they assembled a team to develop the next PU, which automatically put them behind other manufacturers by several months if not a year and adding to that the new fuel and lubricant suppliers to work with. Veterans like Asaki retired and didn't return.

For AMR and Stroll, being a works team was top priority.
He saw the success Honda helped bring RBR as their works team. So I would argue that Stroll has been the right leader all along, and that expectations from unrealistic fans of a budding works team to beat F1 stalwarts in their first season was only hoping for a BrawnGP miracle.

People here need to turn off the blame game and appreciate that other engine/fuel suppliers did it slightly although measurably better, likely in part thanks to their continuity in technical partners.

Sorry, there is no justification for the absolute shambles this car is. This is not a fledgling team, it's a team with atleast a decade of experience. Look at cadillac - they are a first timer team, with a borrowed PU, and was put together only over 2024-2025. They have done a much better job of integrating the PU with the chassis. AMR has not. There is no excuse for the rainbow variety of issues plaguing the AMR26. It's a total failure. That's the naked truth, no matter how we dress up excuses.

So my answer was to a question as to why a team would want a works team. Not sure why the responses have evolved completely off the original questions.

[SSJ4]

So ferrari are bringing an engine upgrade via aduo for next race and another in a few races time.
I'm assuming honda are taking longer cos they want to change the architecture for next year? Or is it a case or being further behind so have to take longer with engine stuff

[Badger]

So ferrari are bringing an engine upgrade via aduo for next race and another in a few races time.
I'm assuming honda are taking longer cos they want to change the architecture for next year? Or is it a case or being further behind so have to take longer with engine stuff

The same team that built this engine is now being asked to fix it, don't expect miracles.

[diffuser]

So ferrari are bringing an engine upgrade via aduo for next race and another in a few races time.
I'm assuming honda are taking longer cos they want to change the architecture for next year? Or is it a case or being further behind so have to take longer with engine stuff

Sky said yesterday "Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, are holding discussions with the teams regarding their engine performance findings" So I don't think that the results of ADUO are finalized yet.

[TyreSlip]

So ferrari are bringing an engine upgrade via aduo for next race and another in a few races time.
I'm assuming honda are taking longer cos they want to change the architecture for next year? Or is it a case or being further behind so have to take longer with engine stuff

Sky said yesterday "Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, are holding discussions with the teams regarding their engine performance findings" So I don't think that the results of ADUO are finalized yet.

I am really getting mad about this. Politics has put Honda in the crossfire and they are being delayed from developing its engine. The FIA needs to step up and put an end to these games.

[mzso]

If the transmission and rear grip/df aren't helping you to achieve the rear braking you need to regenaration, wouldn't you experience this as a lack of maximum power from electric motor side? So maybe some of 70 hp power gap comes from low performance of the car.

Wow. That's completely pulled out of the air... With no basis. Having poor grip in the corners doesn't effect regeneration. If the grip was so bad they needed longer brake distances it would help regeneration.

[diffuser]

So ferrari are bringing an engine upgrade via aduo for next race and another in a few races time.
I'm assuming honda are taking longer cos they want to change the architecture for next year? Or is it a case or being further behind so have to take longer with engine stuff

Sky said yesterday "Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, are holding discussions with the teams regarding their engine performance findings" So I don't think that the results of ADUO are finalized yet.

I am really getting mad about this. Politics has put Honda in the crossfire and they are being delayed from developing its engine. The FIA needs to step up and put an end to these games.

Nobody is preventing Honda from Developing anything. There are no restriction on what a PU Manufacture does with it's CAP $$$$.