Honda Racing Corporation is set to introduce its first significant power unit upgrade of the 2026 Formula 1® season during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort. This update focuses exclusively on enhancing the internal combustion engine (ICE), which has been identified as the main area where Honda’s power unit lags behind its competitors.
According to Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, the internal combustion engine remains the weakest link in their power unit package. The upgrade aims to improve engine output and drivability, with optimistic estimates suggesting a potential gain of up to 30bhp. This step is intended to reduce the power deficit and bring Honda’s power unit closer to the competitive range within the championship.
The timing of this upgrade coincides with Aston Martin Racing’s use of Honda power units, with driver Lance Stroll among those expected to experience the changes firsthand. The new engine specification will alter combustion characteristics and engine behavior, especially noticeable during cornering phases. This will require further refinement of drivability, an area where Honda has already made progress by developing new tools and applying lessons learned from the first half of the season.
Honda’s upgrade also takes into account Aston Martin’s recent chassis improvements, which have increased cornering speeds and placed higher demands on engine response. The interaction between chassis and power unit drivability is a key consideration in the development process. A recent filming day at the Hungaroring with the updated power unit provided valuable data to help ensure a smoother introduction of the upgrade at Zandvoort.
While the upgrade marks an important step in addressing Honda’s power deficit, Orihara emphasizes that it is only the first in a series of improvements planned for the season. The team acknowledges that drivability challenges remain but expects to manage these effectively based on the experience gained so far. The focus remains on closing the gap to rivals through incremental gains rather than expecting an immediate full resolution of performance differences.
This development reflects Honda’s commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of its power unit in the 2026 Formula 1® season, particularly in collaboration with Aston Martin Racing. The upgrade’s impact will be closely monitored as the season progresses, with the Zandvoort event providing the first real-world test of the revised internal combustion engine.