Honda Warns Monza Power Shortfall Will Limit Aston Martin

Overview

• Honda accepts its upgraded 'spec 2' power unit still trails rival engines and cautions that the deficit will be obvious at Monza, a track where long straights make lap times highly sensitive to power.
• The spec 2 unit delivered a measurable step at the Dutch Grand Prix but produced driveability problems during the weekend while Fernando Alonso recovered to ninth and scored two points.
• Since Zandvoort, Honda engineers have been tuning combustion and drivability on dynos at HRC Sakura and plan further on‑track confirmation and refinement at Monza.
• Aston Martin will introduce more aerodynamic updates to the AMR26 in Monza and later Baku to try to regain lap time that the power unit currently cannot provide.
• The shortfall raises urgency in the midseason development race because rivals are bringing regular gains and the outcome could shape Aston Martin’s results, driver comfort and momentum over the remaining races.