Honda will introduce its updated Formula 1 power unit during an Aston Martin filming day on Wednesday at the Hungaroring, shifting the debut from the originally planned race appearance. The private run comes ahead of the official introduction at the Dutch Grand Prix.
After supporting Aston Martin with power unit integration at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Honda announced the updated timeline. Trackside general manager Shintaro Orihara said the team collected vital data in Budapest that will aid the next steps.
Orihara confirmed the new-spec unit will run in the AMR26 for the first time on Wednesday before the summer shutdown. The official introduction to competition will still occur at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on 21-23 August.
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso described the B-spec car as a new baseline after finishing 13th in Budapest. He said the performance gains matched expectations and that the engine upgrade would provide a useful check at Zandvoort.
