Aston Martin entered the 2026 F1 season with high expectations built around a new works Honda partnership, Adrian Newey’s technical leadership, and Fernando Alonso’s experience behind the wheel. However, after a difficult pre-season, former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese has blamed it on Honda’s power unit struggles.

The warning signs began in Barcelona. The AMR26 only appeared in the final hour of the fourth day of running. Lance Stroll managed just four laps due to issues, while Alonso completed 61 laps on the final day, the lowest total of any team. In the timesheets, Alonso’s best effort left him near the end of the 22-driver field.

Bahrain offered little improvement. Across six days ot testing, Aston Martin logged 128 laps overall and remained nearly four seconds off the benchmark pace. For a team that has invested heavily in a new factory, wind tunnel, gearbox, and suspension development, the numbers were difficult to ignore.

Patrese did not hold back during a conversation with talkSPORT BET Slots Site.

“Adrian Newey seems lost,” the former driver said (via F1Passion.It). “But I think the biggest problem is Honda. I read that for at least six or seven months, they won’t be able to have an engine that works properly because they burn the battery, and the kilowatts that the battery is capable of providing are not enough to have the right power.”

The 2026 regulations have placed greater emphasis on electrical deployment and battery regeneration, with power units now split evenly between combustion (540 hp) and hybrid output (470 hp). Managing energy flow is critical. Any shortfall in battery performance directly impacts straight-line speed and overall lap time.

Honda, returning as a full works supplier after its successful title run with Red Bull, is facing the challenge of building an entirely new package under tighter development timelines. Patrese expanded on the concern, adding:

“If they have to lose six months of the season before they get close to the right engine package, their season is over. It’s a shame because, knowing Adrian well, I know he’s someone who never stops working to find a solution.”

He continued:

“He’ll certainly be a little worried right now, as will probably be the team owner, Mr. Stroll. He’s invested a lot of money in Aston Martin with Adrian Newey at the helm of the program. This year will probably be a complete failure for them, because Honda isn’t able to provide the battery charge needed to deliver the required power.”

Even Max Verstappen, who won his championships with Honda power, recently expressed hope for the Japanese manufacturer to resolve its early issues.

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Honda chief reaffirms long-term vision despite early setback for Aston Martin

Internally, Aston Martin is understood to be dissatisfied with the early output of the Honda package. The limited mileage and performance deficit have increased pressure ahead of the season opener. Honda’s own history in F1 adds another layer of uncertainty, having exited the sport multiple times.

The manufacturer has made it clear that its continued involvement depends on alignment with its broader electrification strategy. With the 2026 regulations heavily focused on hybrid technology, Honda sees relevance for its road car development.

After the challenging start to the season, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said (via F1Passion.It):

“We are proceeding decisively to establish a collaboration between the Formula 1 and MotoGP programs, the top motorcycle racing series. We are evaluating how we can link the two entities to transfer and share expertise between the projects and thrive in their respective championships.”

Beyond technical fixes, Watanabe emphasized the strength of the partnership with Aston Martin, saying:

“We have an excellent relationship with the team and are building a deep collaboration. I like Lawrence Stroll’s approach and vision. We have previously worked alongside Adrian Newey on other successful projects, and we love our relationship with him. Andy Cowell, our main point of contact for the project and power unit development, is also a brilliant figure. we hope will become, in the long term, a winning team.”

The true competitive picture for Aston Martin will begin to unfold at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6 to 8.