Honda targets 50-horsepower gain for Aston Martin’s 2027 F1 engine
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 23, 2026
A 2027 engine target
Honda is targeting at least a 50-horsepower gain for Aston Martin’s 2027 Formula 1 engine, a sign the partnership is pushing hard to rebuild momentum after a difficult start. Adrian Newey said the future matters most for both sides, and he framed the next stage of the collaboration as a chance to repair a strained relationship. He said Honda has the right people and processes in place, and he made clear that Aston Martin is working closely with the company as it looks ahead to 2027. Newey also said he is hopeful about what comes next, with Honda’s Sakura base expected to play a role in further gains.
Honda struggles and upgrades
Newey said Honda has been disappointed with its progress in its first season back in Formula 1, and he pointed to serious vibration and reliability problems early in the year. The FIA changed the rules in May to allow Honda to spend more on development, and Honda has since brought upgrades to its engine program. Newey said those steps have helped, but he also made clear they have not gone far enough to put Aston Martin in a position to regularly fight for points. The comments paint a picture of a project that has moved forward, but still has a long way to go before it reaches the level both sides want.
Aston Martin aims for 2027
Aston Martin’s updated engine and turbo steps have not been enough to move the team into the points conversation on a regular basis, according to Newey. He said the team remained 10th in the championship and was only ahead of Cadillac when he spoke, which underscores the scale of the climb still ahead. The team’s focus has shifted to what 2027 can bring, and Newey said rule changes that year could open more development opportunities. He added that possible additional homologation upgrades in 2027 could create even more room to improve. Aston Martin is said to want enough progress to challenge for a top-10 finish in the first race of 2027, a marker that shows how much the team expects from the new engine program. Newey’s comments tied together the present and the future, with the current package still falling short and more development opportunities ahead.
