Aston Martin alarm as Stroll reveals scale of Honda power-unit deficit

Alonso will embark on his 24th season in Formula 1 next year after agreeing a fresh deal with Aston Martin. The two-time world champion’s decision comes amid a difficult campaign for the Silverstone-based squad, with Stroll claiming the team is losing between one and two seconds per lap to rivals depending on the circuit.

The Canadian’s verdict followed confirmation that Honda has already used both of its available Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities during the 2026 season.

Honda introduced its first revised power unit at the Dutch Grand Prix, before bringing an updated turbocharger to Stroll’s car at the Spanish Grand Prix. Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said the second intervention was necessary after drivability issues were identified with the earlier specification.

However, Stroll suggested that the revised engine has not produced a dramatic step forward for Aston Martin.

The Aston Martin driver was even more forthright when outlining the impact on lap time, especially at circuits where top speed and engine deployment are crucial.

Stroll believes Aston Martin has made progress on the chassis side following a major upgrade in Budapest. Yet he says the power unit remains the team’s defining limitation.

Those concerns have not stopped Alonso from extending his stay. The Spaniard said his conversation with Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll was brief, with both parties aligned on continuing together.

Alonso acknowledged there are no guarantees that Formula 1’s 2027 regulations will improve the racing or Aston Martin’s competitiveness. But he says his desire to compete remains the decisive factor.

The 46-year-old also believes Aston Martin’s ambitious project deserves more time. “Let’s give it another opportunity,” he added. “Especially on the power-unit side, we started with the wrong foot and it is a question mark what is going to happen next year. But they deserve another opportunity, and I still feel fast.”