Honda is prioritizing performance at the Canadian Grand Prix, aiming to turn around a challenging start to its 2026 power unit program with Aston Martin. The partnership initially suffered from poor reliability and performance, with engine vibrations causing battery damage and driver health concerns. Significant progress emerged after the Suzuka round, as an AMR26 unit was studied in Japan, leading to confirmed improvements in battery vibrations and overall power unit reliability by the Miami Grand Prix.
The focus now shifts from reliability to raw pace. While Miami saw some fixes, Aston Martin's qualifying performance was dismal, underscoring the need for more speed. For Montreal, Honda’s target is to enhance driveability and energy management, building driver confidence to unlock crucial lap time through faster corner entry and increased speed. This comes before the ADUO mechanism allows engine upgrades post-Canada, offering a chance to catch up on development. Aston Martin itself won't have major car upgrades until the summer, leaving them battling Cadillac at the back.
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