Aston Martin backs Honda despite Monza pace struggles
Fernando Alonso has expressed full confidence in the Honda power unit partnership for Aston Martin, even as the team faced significant pace deficits during Monza practice sessions in 2026.
Monza practice highlights power unit challenges
Aston Martin encountered expected difficulties at Monza, a track that emphasizes straight-line speed and power delivery. Fernando Alonso finished FP2 in 19th position, 2.468 seconds behind the fastest time; the gap to the leading midfield runners reached over one second.[1]
The weekend followed the introduction of a revised Honda power unit specification at Zandvoort. Honda identified driveability issues with the new unit and focused calibration work on combustion stability ahead of Monza. Team personnel described the session outcomes as consistent with pre-weekend simulator expectations.[2]
Alonso reaffirms partnership commitment
Alonso stated he holds 100 percent trust in Honda as the power unit supplier. He highlighted the manufacturer's facilities, investment levels, and return of experienced personnel from prior programs. Alonso noted that progress must occur within a compressed timeline rather than over multiple years.[1]
Related reading
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/alonso-has-100-trust-that-honda-will-get-it-right-despite-tough-monza-practice.5r16OWpLN76quE7HVoePiR https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what-next-for-aston-martin-alonso-and-honda/
- [1]Alonso has '100%' trust that Honda will get it right despite tough Monza practice (formula1). Accessed 2026-09-05.
- [2]What next for Aston Martin, Alonso and Honda (the-race). Accessed 2026-09-05.
- [3]Honda trae cambios a Monza tras detectar un problema "mayor de lo esperado" (motorsport). Accessed 2026-09-05.