Honda Expects Tough Monza Battle Despite PU Gains
Honda power unit chief Shintaro Orihara confirmed the updated Spec 2 unit delivered dyno gains on track at Zandvoort yet remains short of top engines, leaving Aston Martin facing a difficult challenge on Monza's long straights.
Honda Acknowledges Gap to Leaders
Honda Racing Corporation trackside chief Shintaro Orihara stated after the Dutch Grand Prix that the Spec 2 power unit achieved its internal dyno targets on track and improved reliability over the weekend.[1] Performance rose compared with Spec 1, yet the unit still trails the benchmark manufacturers.[1]
Monza Challenge Looms
Monza rewards raw power and energy deployment on long straights. Orihara noted the updated unit leaves the team short of the top engines and prepared the squad for a tough fight there.[1] Further dyno work on drivability and combustion stability continues ahead of the event.[2]
Related reading
- [1]Orihara explains why Honda's new engine felt worse (f1-fansite). Accessed 2026-09-01.
- [2]ホンダF1、パワー重視のイタリアGPへ。折原エンジニア「今後の競争力向上につながるよう、さらなる最適化を進める」 (motorsport). Accessed 2026-09-01.