Honda updated power unit fires up for Dutch GP

The Honda updated power unit for the Dutch GP has officially completed its first on-track laps, and the F1 paddock is paying close attention. Honda’s new-specification power unit ran on-track for the first time during an Aston Martin filming day in Hungary, in preparation for its planned race debut at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The timing could not be better for a team that has endured a bruising start to 2026.

Honda updated power unit takes its first laps

After taking part in a Pirelli tyre test at the Hungaroring, Aston Martin completed a filming day at the same circuit. During an F1 filming day, teams are allowed to complete up to 200 kilometres. That is exactly what Honda needed.

Honda’s trackside general manager and chief engineer Shintaro Orihara revealed that the filming day would be used to try the engine upgrade that Aston Martin is now counting on for further progress. “That is a good opportunity to check how our new engine works on the chassis,” Orihara said.

“In Hungary, we have been supporting the team with the power unit integration. We’ve also been able to collect vital data, which will help us come to the next race,” Orihara added. “We will now take the important step of introducing our new-spec power unit in the Netherlands. Before then, during Wednesday’s filming day, we will run the new engine in the AMR26 for the first time, before the summer shutdown commences.”

What the Dutch GP Honda power unit upgrade could bring

The Honda updated power unit for the Dutch GP is more than a minor tweak. Honda’s power unit has been recognised as the weakest on the grid within the new ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) mechanism, meaning it is getting exactly that, upgrade opportunities, and will introduce this update in Zandvoort after the summer break.

According to reports from the Italian press, the heavily revised power unit debuting in the Netherlands could arrive with an increase of at least 50 HP more. The team expects this upgrade to allow them to enter the tight midfield fight against Racing Bulls, Alpine, and Audi. That would be a massive step forward.

The power unit upgrade is due to complement the major car upgrade package introduced by Aston Martin at the Budapest round, with the AMR26 absorbing no fewer than 16 developments. Newey also revealed there would be more upgrades coming to the chassis at the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix later in the summer.

Alonso himself is feeling positive. After Lando Norris won the Hungarian GP, the Spaniard said the team now knows exactly what it is chasing. “This package didn’t change many positions but it changed a lot the momentum of everyone in the factory,” Alonso said. “We know exactly what we are looking for, and we know exactly the targets for the next package or the targets for next year.”

Oscillation investigation closed after Hungary

There was some drama at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the good news arrived. Oscillations were visible on both drivers’ onboard cameras during FP1, which suggested the return of the Honda engine-related vibrations that the team struggled with at the start of the year.

Orihara said the oscillations appeared because “the engine temperature isn’t optimised in the new chassis,” but added: “We adjusted some parameters and have made considerable progress.”

The engine vibrations that had been such a big part of Aston Martin and Honda’s initial 2026 woes appeared to return in Hungary on Friday, although both team and engine supplier said those were not the same ones experienced at the start of the season. Alonso said they were “fixed completely” when a new engine was fitted for the rest of the weekend from Saturday. Good news all round, then.

Aston Martin and Honda: a partnership finding its rhythm

Aston Martin have struggled with reliability and performance issues, linked with both their AMR26 chassis and their Honda power unit, having started a new partnership with Honda at the beginning of 2026. But the relationship has clearly improved.

Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack recently explained how the team and Honda are now working together much more efficiently. “It’s easy to point the finger, but we sat together and we said, ‘We are in this together. We need to work hard to get out of it together’,” Krack explained, with the outfit cut adrift of the pack at most tracks so far.

You can read more about why 2026 F1 AI engine deployment control has been a mess for several teams this season, not just Aston Martin.

What comes next for Aston Martin?

The Honda updated power unit Dutch GP debut is now fully prepared. The filming day mileage means Honda and Aston Martin arrive at Zandvoort with real data already banked.

The upgraded unit is scheduled to make its competitive debut in Aston Martin’s B-spec AMR26 at the Dutch Grand Prix, the first race back after the summer break. Team principal Adrian Newey has also confirmed further chassis developments are in the pipeline, with updates expected at Zandvoort and again around the Monza and Baku double-header.

Between the B-spec chassis upgrade in Hungary and the incoming Honda updated power unit arriving at the Dutch GP, Aston Martin fans have genuine reasons to be excited. The team has gone from fighting Cadillac at the back to knocking on the midfield door. This upgrade’s performance is also a key part of Aston Martin convincing Fernando Alonso to remain aboard for 2027. The pressure is on Honda. And from what we saw at the Hungaroring this week, they are ready to deliver.

Keep up with all the action and follow the latest standings on our Dutch Grand Prix 2026 guide.