F1 Today: Honda reveals Aston Martin engine changes, Hamilton handed brutal title verdict

Ahead of Aston Martin’s highly anticipated engine update at the Dutch Grand Prix, Honda chief Shintaro Orihara has offered an encouraging insight into what can be expected from the new power unit set to make its debut at Zandvoort.

The Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer has regularly addressed the media amid Honda’s challenging campaign with Aston Martin, and he has now provided a closer look at the changes made to the B-spec engine and the improvements the Silverstone-based outfit could benefit from at the next race.

Speaking in a quick-fire interview shared by Honda on its social media channels, Orihara revealed that the manufacturer has placed a major emphasis on improving the combustion engine’s overall performance with its latest specification.

The Japanese motorsport chief also explained that Honda had identified a lengthy list of areas that needed improvement as it worked to extract more performance from the power unit supplied to Aston Martin.

Lewis Hamilton has made no secret of his ambition to win another Drivers’ Championship, this time in the colours of Scuderia Ferrari. However, those hopes have been dealt another blow after former McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya delivered a blunt assessment of the seven-time world champion’s chances.

Hamilton appears to have turned a corner following a difficult start to his Ferrari career. After enduring a 26-race wait for his first podium with the Maranello outfit, the Briton has gradually rediscovered his form and once again established himself as a regular contender at the sharp end of the grid.

Despite Hamilton’s impressive resurgence, however, Montoya remains unconvinced that the Ferrari driver can complete his turnaround by securing another world championship.

The Colombian was nevertheless full of praise for both Hamilton and Ferrari, highlighting the team’s execution and the Briton’s improvement as he continues to settle into life at Maranello.