As Crash.net reports, Aston Martin is facing a brutal reality with its power unit, with Lance Stroll claiming the team is missing two seconds from the engine alone. Despite Honda secretly introducing its second Formula 1 power unit upgrade of the season, the machinery simply isn't delivering.
That second power unit upgrade, featuring an updated turbocharger, quietly appeared on Stroll's Aston Martin at the Spanish Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso previously received the upgrade at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, following Honda's initial deployment from its first Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities token of 2026 at the Dutch Grand Prix in August. Unfortunately, according to Stroll, this second iteration made little difference to their competitive prospects.
Speaking ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, the Canadian didn't sugarcoat the situation. When asked about the feel of the upgraded engine, Stroll replied that it did not change much, noting that they are really struggling on the engine side with plenty of work ahead. The numbers he dropped are staggering: Aston Martin is lacking between a second and two seconds, depending on the tracks, every weekend in the engine department alone. On venues like Baku and Monza, he pointed out that such a deficit leaves drivers with virtually nothing they can do.
Beyond the power unit, Stroll admitted that the team started late compared to everyone else on development for the new regulations. However, he highlighted a big step forward made in Budapest, giving them a clear direction on car development and downforce. Aston Martin secured engine exclusivity for 2026 to become the Honda works team, ending their previous supply deal with Mercedes. When asked if the team would consider moving away from Honda if these issues persist, Stroll stated that they are currently working together to get it right with some ideas for next year.
Looking toward 2027, where Stroll will continue alongside Alonso, the outlook remains a mixed bag. Stroll noted that the big question mark is indeed the engine, leaving the start of 2027 uncertain. Yet, he insisted that Honda is pushing flat out to bring more power, and expressed excitement for a bright future with the team in a good spot.
