Honda admits Aston Martin lagging after troubled Bahrain test
Honda said its partnership with Aston Martin is playing catch‑up after the AMR26 logged the fewest laps at the Bahrain 2026 test, but the data gathered will drive upgrades before test days next week.
Honda admitted its partnership with Aston Martin is still playing catch‑up after the AMR26 logged just 206 laps – the fewest of any team – in the three‑day Bahrain 2026 pre‑season test. Both Adrian Newey and Lance Stroll flagged a four‑second pace gap, while Honda’s Shintaro Orihara said the data gathered will drive rapid upgrades before the remaining test days next week.
Why it matters:
- The partnership marks Honda’s return to F1, and early performance will shape brand credibility.
- Aston Martin’s four‑second deficit threatens its championship hopes and pressures Newey to accelerate chassis‑engine integration.
The details:
- The AMR26 completed only 206 laps, the fewest of any team in the three‑day test.
- Honda’s Shintaro Orihara called the test beneficial, noting key learnings on power‑unit integration, energy management and cooling.
What's next:
Honda plans to use the three remaining test days next week to validate updates, while Aston Martin aims to shave four seconds off lap time before the season opener. Both sides stress rapid iteration on the power‑unit and chassis, expecting measurable gains by the first Bahrain race.