Honda chief delivers worrying Aston Martin verdict ahead of Spanish GP reality check

The Honda Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer admitted that both the Sakura and Silverstone teams welcomed the boost provided by Fernando Alonso's 10th-place finish in the Principality. However, Orihara expressed little optimism about Aston Martin's prospects at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The Japanese engineer explained that Barcelona is traditionally regarded as one of Formula 1's ultimate "reality check" circuits, with its demanding layout exposing both the strengths and weaknesses of every car. As a result, he suggested Aston Martin should focus on extracting maximum learning from the weekend while shielding its drivers and crew from excessive negativity, given there is little they can do to mask the AMR26's shortcomings.

"On paper, Barcelona will be tough. It will be very tough," Orihara told GPblog and other media outlets.

"I think it will be toughest for the drivers because Barcelona is very hard on the package and there won't be much they can do. So I think we need to protect them a little bit from taking too much negativity from the weekend because there is nothing they can do about it,” he concluded.

Aston Martin's partnership with Honda has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, with the team encountering several issues with its AMR26 challenger, including power unit-related concerns. The Silverstone-based outfit has already confirmed that its first major upgrade package for the car will not arrive until later in the summer.

Orihara also revealed he was not surprised by the FIA's assessment that Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) currently sets the benchmark for internal combustion engine development under Formula 1's new ADUO regulations.

Speaking to GPblog and other media in Barcelona, the Honda chief said the governing body's findings largely matched the manufacturer's own expectations. He praised the work carried out by RBPT and expressed admiration for what the company has achieved so far.

However, Orihara downplayed the significance of the ADUO assessment, insisting Honda already has a clear understanding of where it is losing performance. He explained that the manufacturer knows exactly which areas require improvement and already has a wider development plan in place to close the gap, with its focus remaining firmly on its own progress rather than comparisons with its rivals.