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via f1oversteer.comGuenther Steiner disagrees with Toto Wolff about the real ‘problem’ with Honda’s ‘air pump’ engineGuenther Steiner has publicly disagreed with Toto Wolff regarding the issues facing Aston Martin, attributing their struggles to Honda's engine performance rather than the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO). Steiner described Honda's engine as akin to an 'air pump', suggesting that even with ADUO, Aston Martin would not see improvements due to fundamental flaws in the engine design.
The debate highlights the ongoing challenges Aston Martin faces in the 2026 Formula 1 season, as they remain unable to close the gap to midfield competitors. Wolff and others have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of ADUO, but Steiner insists that the core problem lies with Honda's inability to adapt to new regulations, which has left Aston Martin lagging behind.
via Formula1.comAlonso and Stroll face grid penalties at Azerbaijan GPFernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin will start from the back of the grid at the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to engine penalties. The penalties were imposed after both drivers exceeded their power unit allocations by fitting new components.
via gpfans.comAston Martin awaits Fernando Alonso's decision on futureAston Martin is still waiting for Fernando Alonso to decide whether he will continue racing in Formula 1 beyond 2026. Alonso is currently in discussions with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding the sport's future driving characteristics.
via f1oversteer.comRalf Schumacher urges Aston Martin not to waste time and take action over Honda ‘embarrassment’Ralf Schumacher has called on Aston Martin to take decisive action regarding their Honda engine, which he describes as an 'embarrassment' following their struggles for consistent power. Despite debuting a new Honda engine at the Dutch Grand Prix, the team has not seen the expected improvements, leading to speculation about a potential switch to Mercedes or Red Bull engines.
During a podcast, Schumacher expressed his concerns about Honda's performance and suggested that Aston Martin should explore other engine suppliers without delay. He believes that while Audi could be a contender, Mercedes would be a safer bet for the team. Schumacher emphasised the need for Aston Martin to eliminate sources of error, particularly in their gearbox, to compete effectively in Formula 1.
via gpfans.comAston Martin 'approach made' for shock Charles Leclerc swoop from FerrariAston Martin reportedly made an approach to sign Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, but the 28-year-old declined the offer in favour of a new contract with Ferrari that will keep him with the team until at least 2030. This approach came during a tumultuous time for Aston Martin, which had recently changed team principals, although it remains unclear which of their current drivers would have been replaced.
Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt, has been active in exploring opportunities for Leclerc, including discussions with Mercedes and McLaren. Despite these talks, Leclerc has reaffirmed his commitment to Ferrari, expressing confidence in the team's direction and leadership under Fred Vasseur. He remains focused on his goal of winning a world championship with Ferrari.
via RacingNews365Aston Martin issue response to FIA president comments on Fernando Alonso futureAston Martin has issued a statement addressing comments made by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding Fernando Alonso's future in Formula 1. Ben Sulayem expressed his commitment to ensuring Alonso remains on the grid for the next season, amidst uncertainties surrounding the driver's plans.
The team clarified that they believe Ben Sulayem's remarks were taken out of context. Alonso has yet to announce his intentions for 2027 as he considers various options, with his enjoyment of the current regulations being a key factor in his decision-making process.
via f1oversteer.comF1 teams must not help Honda after seeing them dominate the sport with Max VerstappenHonda is facing significant challenges in the 2026 Formula 1 season, particularly with their partnership with Aston Martin, which has led to discussions about potential replacements for their underperforming engine. Rival teams have previously provided financial assistance to Honda, fearing their exit from the sport, but there is now caution about offering too much support due to Honda's history of dominance with Max Verstappen from 2021 to 2024.
As the F1 landscape prepares for a shift in engine regulations favouring internal combustion engines starting in 2027, there are concerns that if Honda receives additional backing, they could quickly regain their competitive edge. This has led to a divided opinion among teams, with some advocating for caution to prevent Honda from leveraging any support to become a dominant force once again.
via f1oversteer.comLawrence Stroll must be regretting Adrian Newey's £24m salary when he sees Aston Martin corner dataAston Martin is struggling in the current Formula 1 season, sitting with only three points in the constructors' standings. Their performance issues are attributed to both engine problems with Honda and significant aerodynamic concerns, particularly in cornering speed. In the recent Spanish Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll faced disappointing results, highlighting the team's struggles.
Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin in 2024 with a hefty £30 million salary, is under scrutiny for the team's poor cornering performance. Data analysis reveals that Alonso's qualifying time was significantly slower than the pole position, and the AMR26 chassis has been criticized for being overweight and ineffective. Despite these challenges, there is some hope for improvement with the upcoming 2027 car.
via f1oversteer.com‘Angry’ Fernando Alonso has been taunting Honda staff about joining ‘Toyota’ insteadFernando Alonso has been openly critical of Honda's performance this season, recalling his successful stint with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship. He has reportedly taunted Honda staff by suggesting that to win, he would need to race with Toyota, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two manufacturers.
Alonso's current season with Aston Martin has been disappointing, with only three points scored, marking his worst performance since his rookie year in 2001. Despite being the lead driver in qualifying, he has struggled to advance past Q2. Alonso's future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, as he weighs the impact of upcoming regulations against Honda's competitiveness.
via PlanetF1Azerbaijan GP Saturday race; F1 presenter absence; first Aston Martin AMR27 clues – roundupThe Azerbaijan Grand Prix has been rescheduled to Saturday, 30 September, to align with Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day, impacting the practice and qualifying schedules. This marks a significant change in the race format, which traditionally occurs on Sundays.
In other news, F1 presenter Tom Clarkson will miss the Bahrain Grand Prix, ending a remarkable streak of nearly 30 years. Meanwhile, Aston Martin's chief technical officer Enrico Cardile announced that the AMR27 will be a completely new car for the 2027 season, as the team struggles with performance in the current season.
via F1iCardile promises Aston Martin a ‘completely new car’ for 2027Aston Martin's Chief Technical Officer, Enrico Cardile, has announced that the team will create a completely new car, the AMR27, for the 2027 Formula 1 season. This decision comes after a disappointing 2026 campaign, where Aston Martin has only managed to score three points and currently sits at the bottom of the Constructors' standings. Cardile emphasized that there will be no constraints from the current car's design, allowing for a fresh start and the opportunity to implement lessons learned from this year's challenges.
The AMR27 will not only be a new design but will also adapt to significant regulatory changes expected in 2027, including alterations to the power unit and aerodynamic features. Cardile expressed optimism about the team's ability to capitalize on these changes, citing the growth and maturity of the organization over the past year. With a focus on extracting valuable information from the AMR26, Aston Martin aims to ensure that the mistakes of the past do not carry over into their future car.
via f1oversteer.comAston Martin to debut final AMR26 upgrade in BakuAston Martin will introduce the final upgrade to their AMR26 car at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which is expected to significantly enhance their lap times. This upgrade will also help team owner Lawrence Stroll decide on the future of their partnership with Honda.
via Motorsport.comMercedes and Aston Martin go head-to-head in charity football match: Here are the resultsStaff from Mercedes and Aston Martin faced off in an annual charity football match to raise funds for local and mental health charities. The match took place at Brackley Town Football Club, with Mercedes winning the men's game 3-1 and Aston Martin taking the women's game 2-1.
Mercedes donated proceeds to Helen & Douglas House, while Aston Martin supported Movember. The event followed the Spanish Grand Prix, where Mercedes continues to lead the constructors' standings, while Aston Martin struggles at the bottom of the table.
via thejudge13.com“Every single part will be new” claims Aston Martin announcing radical new beginningAston Martin has confirmed a complete redesign of its Formula 1 car for the 2027 season, with technical director Enrico Cardile stating that every component will be new and no parts from the current AMR26 will be retained. The team is treating this as a total reset while maintaining its broader development philosophy introduced in the current season.
Cardile highlighted the importance of collaboration with Honda, whose power unit will be crucial for Aston Martin's future ambitions. Despite facing challenges, Cardile expressed confidence in Honda's ability to improve its engine performance. The team is committed to ensuring that the 2027 project represents more than just incremental progress, aiming instead for a foundational shift that will enable them to compete at the front of the grid.
via PlanetF1Aston Martin struggles with just three points in 2026Aston Martin has managed to secure only three points in the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking a disappointing start for the team. Adrian Newey's influence on the design has not yielded the expected results, leaving Aston Martin at the bottom of the championship standings.
via RacingNews365Fernando Alonso reiterates Honda trust desipte 2026 painFernando Alonso has reaffirmed his trust in Honda's Formula 1 project, despite a difficult start to the season for Aston Martin, which has partnered with Honda. Alonso believes that Honda possesses the necessary infrastructure and personnel to succeed, having previously won a championship with Red Bull before leaving F1 at the end of 2021.
Currently, Aston Martin is struggling, having scored only three points and often finding itself at the bottom of the timesheets. Alonso has not yet decided on his future in F1, indicating that his enjoyment of the regulations will influence his decision. He expressed a desire to see improvements in the team's performance within two to three years, rather than the longer timelines experienced in the past.
via Motorsport.comDavid Coulthard urges FIA to speed up safety car decisionsDavid Coulthard has expressed concerns regarding the FIA's speed in making decisions to neutralize Formula 1 races, particularly after the recent Spanish Grand Prix. He noted that Lando Norris lost a likely victory due to the timing of the virtual safety car deployment, which allowed Kimi Antonelli to pit at a strategic moment. Coulthard emphasized that the time taken to respond to incidents can significantly impact race outcomes and suggested that improvements are necessary.
During a podcast discussion, Coulthard elaborated on the inherent unpredictability of safety car situations, stating that they can unfairly affect race results. He called for a more efficient process in decision-making, especially in clear-cut situations like major accidents. The former driver believes that quicker responses could help mitigate the luck factor in racing outcomes, ensuring a fairer competition for all drivers.
via gpfans.comAston Martin beat Mercedes for rare 2026 winAston Martin faced off against Mercedes in a pair of charity football matches on September 19, 2026, where the men's team lost 3-1 while the women's team won 2-1, resulting in a split of the series. The matches were organized to support the hospice charity Helen & Douglas House and the Movember campaign, continuing a tradition that began in 2022.
Imogen Tait from Mercedes highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams and the significance of using their resources for community good. Following the charity event, both Aston Martin and Mercedes are set to head to Baku for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking the continuation of their racing season after the European leg.
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff has now changed his mind about giving Aston Martin Mercedes enginesToto Wolff has changed his stance regarding Aston Martin's engine supply, indicating that Mercedes is no longer interested in continuing their partnership. Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin, has been in discussions with both Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains as he seeks alternative engine suppliers due to ongoing performance issues with their current Honda engine. Despite Mercedes' past willingness to supply engines, Wolff emphasized that Aston Martin's shift towards becoming a works team with Honda led to the end of their collaboration.
Stroll's efforts to negotiate with other manufacturers have not yielded positive results, as Red Bull has not expressed interest in a deal. Additionally, under current regulations, Audi would be the designated supplier for Aston Martin, but their engine performance is also lacking. In a related development, Honda is making significant changes to its leadership in response to the performance concerns, which could indicate a shift in their approach to F1 engine development.
via PlanetF1Alonso praises Newey in rare Aston Martin radio exchangeFernando Alonso expressed appreciation for Adrian Newey during a rare radio exchange, highlighting the significance of Aston Martin's 2026 upgrade. Technical director Enrico Cardile noted that Alonso's positive feedback reflects the team's commitment to progress.Page 3 of 13