2026 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

[TyreSlip]

Anyway if they reduce the gap from 1.5 to 1s on the engine side, it is just enough to be in Q3 and fight for last points, but not more.

Unless Shintaro Orihara is being modest and downplaying the engine upgrade, I do not see gaining a full second from an upgrade alone.

[diffuser]

Aston are using the old chassis and aero in the tyre test... probably because of lack of spares.

Any evidence?

Seems like an own goal. There's a lot of time to build spares until the next race.

Sounds like BS to me. Neither Alonso nor Stroll had accidents, so they have a full complementary of new parts. It isn't likely they have an accident on a track they have to themselves. Nor is Hungry like Monaco where if you a have a spin there is a high chance you hit a wall.

[diffuser]

The Honda is a long way behind the other power units - something in the region of of about 1.5secs per lap off the best, Aston Martin believe internally.

The impending upgrade will not narrow that gap completely. But it is hoped that it will narrow about a third of it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/ar ... 9e188m751o

However, according to what AutoRacer learned, the step that the Japanese motorist will take on the track will not be marginal, but should guarantee a performance increase in the order of half a second per lap, equivalent to 35 hp. Of course, since the gap is very wide from the top in terms of power (we are talking about 90 hp), with this new specification we should not think that Honda is going to close the gap with other engines

https://autoracer.it/aston-martin-amr26 ... uo-valere/

It's gonna be hard to tell cause AMR F1 are bringing more aero updates.

[mass_damper_enjoyer]

They did plenty of laps this weekend. Maybe they decided it was more interesting for them to run the old spec to gather data to compare and learn which was the upgrades impact?

[Rikrikrik]

This Honda's updated engine has "1 token" from ADUO ? Honda has 2 ADUOS right? anyone knows about it?

[Rikrikrik]

This Honda's updated engine has "1 token" from ADUO ? Honda has 2 ADUOS right? anyone knows about it?

[diffuser]

This Honda's updated engine has "1 token" from ADUO ? Honda has 2 ADUOS right? anyone knows about it?

My understanding is:
As of the first 2026 ADUO assessment, Honda has qualified for the maximum level of ADUO support because the RA626H's ICE performance was sufficiently behind the leading benchmark. That means Honda receives:

• 2 additional homologation upgrades in the current season.

• 2 additional homologation upgrades in the following season.

• Additional power unit cost cap allowance (up to $11 million per ADUO period if the performance deficit is 10% or greater).

• Additional dyno/bench testing allowance to accelerate development.

How many ADUOs does Honda have?, the answer is:

Honda has been granted the maximum ADUO allocation: two additional development opportunities for 2026 and two for 2027, based on the first FIA assessment.

Honda has said they're gonna skip the 2 homologation for this current year and focus on the 1st for 2027.

BTW, no such thing as tokens in ADUO. They can change whatever they want in the ICE.

[mzso]

Aston are using the old chassis and aero in the tyre test... probably because of lack of spares.

Any evidence?

Seems like an own goal. There's a lot of time to build spares until the next race.

Sounds like BS to me. Neither Alonso nor Stroll had accidents, so they have a full complementary of new parts. It isn't likely they have an accident on a track they have to themselves. Nor is Hungry like Monaco where if you a have a spin there is a high chance you hit a wall.

Disappointingly it doesn't seem to be the case. Provided these photos aren't faked. The old suspension is clearly identifiable.

[FNTC]

Filming day with the new engine was supposed to be tomorrow. Isn't this the Pirelli test?

[diffuser]

Any evidence?

Seems like an own goal. There's a lot of time to build spares until the next race.

Sounds like BS to me. Neither Alonso nor Stroll had accidents, so they have a full complementary of new parts. It isn't likely they have an accident on a track they have to themselves. Nor is Hungry like Monaco where if you a have a spin there is a high chance you hit a wall.

Disappointingly it doesn't seem to be the case. Provided these photos aren't faked. The old suspension is clearly identifiable.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hond ... hatgpt.com
Motorsport reported that July 29, 2026 (Wednesday): Filming day at the Hungaroring with the updated RA626H

[mzso]

Anyway if they reduce the gap from 1.5 to 1s on the engine side, it is just enough to be in Q3 and fight for last points, but not more.

Unless Shintaro Orihara is being modest and downplaying the engine upgrade, I do not see gaining a full second from an upgrade alone.

He only claimed half a second. Should be possible, right?

[Rikrikrik]

This Honda's updated engine has "1 token" from ADUO ? Honda has 2 ADUOS right? anyone knows about it?

My understanding is:
As of the first 2026 ADUO assessment, Honda has qualified for the maximum level of ADUO support because the RA626H's ICE performance was sufficiently behind the leading benchmark. That means Honda receives:

• 2 additional homologation upgrades in the current season.

• 2 additional homologation upgrades in the following season.

• Additional power unit cost cap allowance (up to $11 million per ADUO period if the performance deficit is 10% or greater).

• Additional dyno/bench testing allowance to accelerate development.

How many ADUOs does Honda have?, the answer is:

Honda has been granted the maximum ADUO allocation: two additional development opportunities for 2026 and two for 2027, based on the first FIA assessment.

Honda has said they're gonna skip the 2 homologation for this current year and focus on the 1st for 2027.

BTW, no such thing as tokens in ADUO. They can change whatever they want in the ICE.

Yeah but why skip the 2 this year? They will have 3 for next year? or more potencial for 2027? what the advantage for skip that?

[mzso]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hond ... hatgpt.com
Motorsport reported that July 29, 2026 (Wednesday): Filming day at the Hungaroring with the updated RA626H

But that's 200km-s max. Most of it might be eaten up by getting the new PU working properly.

[Farnborough]

Given the timing and shortage of new parts etc, plus holiday closing, then likely more convenient to complete the build into "old" chassis in preparation and for proof running.

There's also cost cap consideration should they damage new kit, that's already been accounted for in running already dispensed/distressed components.

Really it's a PU shakedown live on track they're doing to dig out any unexpected surprises from pure track application and loading.

No surprise really.

[diffuser]

This Honda's updated engine has "1 token" from ADUO ? Honda has 2 ADUOS right? anyone knows about it?

My understanding is:
As of the first 2026 ADUO assessment, Honda has qualified for the maximum level of ADUO support because the RA626H's ICE performance was sufficiently behind the leading benchmark. That means Honda receives:

• 2 additional homologation upgrades in the current season.

• 2 additional homologation upgrades in the following season.

• Additional power unit cost cap allowance (up to $11 million per ADUO period if the performance deficit is 10% or greater).

• Additional dyno/bench testing allowance to accelerate development.

How many ADUOs does Honda have?, the answer is:

Honda has been granted the maximum ADUO allocation: two additional development opportunities for 2026 and two for 2027, based on the first FIA assessment.

Honda has said they're gonna skip the 2 homologation for this current year and focus on the 1st for 2027.

BTW, no such thing as tokens in ADUO. They can change whatever they want in the ICE.

Yeah but why skip the 2 this year? They will have 3 for next year? or more potencial for 2027? what the advantage for skip that?

My guess is they don't think they're gonna have anything worth while. Plus this update comes out at the end of August, leaving you with 3.5 months in the year? That's probably the lead time on a new ICE. The first 2 months they're gonna be pulling all kind of data on this new ICE, evaluating what need to be improved. There really isn't enough time

They lose the 2nd ADUO for this year. Remember, upgrades are cumulative. If you don't use the performance ideas that R&D came up with between now and the end of the year, they'll simply carry over into the 2027 upgrade. You still get to use all the extra Dyno and money; you just don't release a new ICE, nor do you waste resources building one and then testing it. I think it's smart.