{"id":1870606,"date":"2026-04-07T10:38:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1870606"},"modified":"2026-04-07T10:38:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:38:11","slug":"honda-only-responsible-for-half-of-aston-martins-f1-pace-deficit-fresh-report-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1870606","title":{"rendered":"Honda only responsible for half of Aston Martin\u2019s F1 pace deficit, fresh report claims"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Honda only responsible for half of Aston Martin\u2019s F1 pace deficit, fresh report claims<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>A new report has detailed why Honda is not all to blame for Aston Martin&#8217;s current F1 pace deficit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-07T11:38:11+01:00\">07 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Aston Martin sit last in the constructors&#8217; championship<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>A new report has claimed that \u201cmore than half\u201d of Aston Martin\u2019s deficit to the front of the Formula 1 grid is down to its chassis.<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin has endured an abysmal start to the 2026 F1 season, with the Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 beset by performance and reliability problems that have plagued the opening three rounds of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>A switch from a customer Mercedes engine supply to a works partnership with Honda has not started smoothly, with severe vibration issues causing reliability and driver health concerns that preventing the team from completing a race distance in Australia or China.<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin finally saw the chequered flag in Japan as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso finished a lap down in 18th place, marking some much-needed progress in an otherwise troubled start to the season.<\/p>\n<p>While much of Aston Martin\u2019s woes have been put down to Honda\u2019s new power unit, BBC Sport\u2019s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson has revealed the true extent that the chassis-side is lacking.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe race report from Suzuka actually mentioned that more than half Aston Martin&#8217;s deficit to the front was caused by the chassis,\u201d Benson said in a BBC Sport fan Q&amp;A.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat information came from a very senior and knowledgeable figure over the course of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. It also tallies with what other teams are seeing on the GPS data to which all have access, in terms of the cars&#8217; speed on different parts of the track.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3fd9514d7d8cb5b90a000cd138348df4787e0b6eab942021708b0d4a572e0697\">  Fernando Alonso concedes Aston Martin &#8220;a few months&#8221; from F1 recovery   Lance Stroll joins ex-F1 driver for surprise GT racing debut at Paul Ricard <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe exact split in terms of the losses that can be attributed to car and engine at Aston Martin-Honda is not known, and it&#8217;s probably not possible to know, as of course the behaviour of the engine can also have an impact on the cornering performance of the car.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s worth adding that, while it&#8217;s true that much of the public focus has been on the Honda engine, and especially the severe vibrations that have been causing reliability problems, team principal Adrian Newey has been clear that the car is also lacking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin currently sits rock-bottom of the 2026 constructors\u2019 championship in 11th place, behind F1 newcomers Cadillac. They are the only two teams yet to score points so far this season.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-4f3140638d94fd1767994e64bf09ee7b66f8e09f8243ad731c3c9ba9be6624b0\">  Aston Martin: No need for peace talks with Honda amid F1 2026 misery   Stroll&#8217;s surprising claim about \u201cAston Martin championship\u201d battle <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cAston Martin are about 2.3secs off qualifying in the top 10, with the majority down to the chassis and the rest the engine,\u201d Benson continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn other words, put a Mercedes engine in the car, and it would be about where Alpine or Haas are. Exactly as Newey suggested.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven the Aston Martin&#8217;s troubled birth &#8211; effectively starting again when Newey arrived in March last year, a delayed entry into the wind tunnel until April, and a consequent compressed development programme &#8211; that sounds entirely feasible.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The car is overweight, and is especially poor in high-speed corners.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe fundamental point, though, is that it doesn&#8217;t really matter where exactly the deficit lies between car and engine. Both Aston Martin and Honda are a long way from being competitive, both know that&#8217;s the case, and both have a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Aston Martin<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Honda<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> The consequences of F1\u2019s cancelled races and enforced break<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1397252_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Why crucial F1 rules decisions won\u2019t be made in this week\u2019s meeting<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404590_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-8c5ce85cefee32ca6e8c12197d45f1f277fe0a23fee6fe6743e7cd3f44b60e2c\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-3d63883b47c71e0036b5bf59777fb5b62b44edd711b361527a616d8bef05462b\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aston Martin&#8217;s major 2026 Japan F1 milestone &#8216;not a cause for celebration&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774859074\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403811_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fernando Alonso \u2018super happy\u2019 as he shares heartwarming personal news<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774606649\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/2266570748.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Alonso has become a father for the first time at 44\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aston Martin\u2019s unconvincing response to growing Wheatley rumours<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774599199\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1394920_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Wheatley left Audi after a year with the German squad\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Honda clarifies Aston Martin &#8220;misunderstanding&#8221; after Newey comments<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774591472\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1399052_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Newey has not been at a race since Australia \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Honda reveals more countermeasures for Japanese GP as home F1 race objective set<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774503998\"> 26\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1401579_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Neither Honda-powered Aston Martin has been able to finish a full Grand Prix\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fernando Alonso to arrive late for F1 Japanese Grand Prix, misses media day<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774433142\"> 25\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1400478_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Alonso and Honda has been a match made in hell \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>A new report has detailed why Honda is not all to blame for Aston Martin&#8217;s current F1 pace deficit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>A new report has claimed that \u201cmore than half\u201d of Aston Martin\u2019s deficit to the front of the Formula 1 grid is down to its chassis.<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin has endured an abysmal start to the 2026 F1 season, with the Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 beset by performance and reliability problems that have plagued the opening three rounds of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>A switch from a customer Mercedes engine supply to a works partnership with Honda has not started smoothly, with severe vibration issues causing reliability and driver health concerns that preventing the team from completing a race distance in Australia or China.<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin finally saw the chequered flag in Japan as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso finished a lap down in 18th place, marking some much-needed progress in an otherwise troubled start to the season.<\/p>\n<p>While much of Aston Martin\u2019s woes have been put down to Honda\u2019s new power unit, BBC Sport\u2019s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson has revealed the true extent that the chassis-side is lacking.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe race report from Suzuka actually mentioned that more than half Aston Martin&#8217;s deficit to the front was caused by the chassis,\u201d Benson said in a BBC Sport fan Q&amp;A.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat information came from a very senior and knowledgeable figure over the course of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. It also tallies with what other teams are seeing on the GPS data to which all have access, in terms of the cars&#8217; speed on different parts of the track.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3fd9514d7d8cb5b90a000cd138348df4787e0b6eab942021708b0d4a572e0697\">  Fernando Alonso concedes Aston Martin &#8220;a few months&#8221; from F1 recovery   Lance Stroll joins ex-F1 driver for surprise GT racing debut at Paul Ricard <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe exact split in terms of the losses that can be attributed to car and engine at Aston Martin-Honda is not known, and it&#8217;s probably not possible to know, as of course the behaviour of the engine can also have an impact on the cornering performance of the car.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s worth adding that, while it&#8217;s true that much of the public focus has been on the Honda engine, and especially the severe vibrations that have been causing reliability problems, team principal Adrian Newey has been clear that the car is also lacking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin currently sits rock-bottom of the 2026 constructors\u2019 championship in 11th place, behind F1 newcomers Cadillac. They are the only two teams yet to score points so far this season.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-4f3140638d94fd1767994e64bf09ee7b66f8e09f8243ad731c3c9ba9be6624b0\">  Aston Martin: No need for peace talks with Honda amid F1 2026 misery   Stroll&#8217;s surprising claim about \u201cAston Martin championship\u201d battle <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cAston Martin are about 2.3secs off qualifying in the top 10, with the majority down to the chassis and the rest the engine,\u201d Benson continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn other words, put a Mercedes engine in the car, and it would be about where Alpine or Haas are. Exactly as Newey suggested.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven the Aston Martin&#8217;s troubled birth &#8211; effectively starting again when Newey arrived in March last year, a delayed entry into the wind tunnel until April, and a consequent compressed development programme &#8211; that sounds entirely feasible.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The car is overweight, and is especially poor in high-speed corners.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe fundamental point, though, is that it doesn&#8217;t really matter where exactly the deficit lies between car and engine. Both Aston Martin and Honda are a long way from being competitive, both know that&#8217;s the case, and both have a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>A new report has claimed that \u201cmore than half\u201d of Aston Martin\u2019s deficit to the front of the Formula 1 grid is down to its chassis.<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin has endured an abysmal start to the 2026 F1 season, with the Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 beset by performance and reliability problems that have plagued the opening three rounds of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>A switch from a customer Mercedes engine supply to a works partnership with Honda has not started smoothly, with severe vibration issues causing reliability and driver health concerns that preventing the team from completing a race distance in Australia or China.<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin finally saw the chequered flag in Japan as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso finished a lap down in 18th place, marking some much-needed progress in an otherwise troubled start to the season.<\/p>\n<p>While much of Aston Martin\u2019s woes have been put down to Honda\u2019s new power unit, BBC Sport\u2019s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson has revealed the true extent that the chassis-side is lacking.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe race report from Suzuka actually mentioned that more than half Aston Martin&#8217;s deficit to the front was caused by the chassis,\u201d Benson said in a BBC Sport fan Q&amp;A.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat information came from a very senior and knowledgeable figure over the course of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. It also tallies with what other teams are seeing on the GPS data to which all have access, in terms of the cars&#8217; speed on different parts of the track.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-3fd9514d7d8cb5b90a000cd138348df4787e0b6eab942021708b0d4a572e0697\">  Fernando Alonso concedes Aston Martin &#8220;a few months&#8221; from F1 recovery   Lance Stroll joins ex-F1 driver for surprise GT racing debut at Paul Ricard <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThe exact split in terms of the losses that can be attributed to car and engine at Aston Martin-Honda is not known, and it&#8217;s probably not possible to know, as of course the behaviour of the engine can also have an impact on the cornering performance of the car.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s worth adding that, while it&#8217;s true that much of the public focus has been on the Honda engine, and especially the severe vibrations that have been causing reliability problems, team principal Adrian Newey has been clear that the car is also lacking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Aston Martin currently sits rock-bottom of the 2026 constructors\u2019 championship in 11th place, behind F1 newcomers Cadillac. They are the only two teams yet to score points so far this season.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-4f3140638d94fd1767994e64bf09ee7b66f8e09f8243ad731c3c9ba9be6624b0\">  Aston Martin: No need for peace talks with Honda amid F1 2026 misery   Stroll&#8217;s surprising claim about \u201cAston Martin championship\u201d battle <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cAston Martin are about 2.3secs off qualifying in the top 10, with the majority down to the chassis and the rest the engine,\u201d Benson continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn other words, put a Mercedes engine in the car, and it would be about where Alpine or Haas are. Exactly as Newey suggested.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven the Aston Martin&#8217;s troubled birth &#8211; effectively starting again when Newey arrived in March last year, a delayed entry into the wind tunnel until April, and a consequent compressed development programme &#8211; that sounds entirely feasible.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The car is overweight, and is especially poor in high-speed corners.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe fundamental point, though, is that it doesn&#8217;t really matter where exactly the deficit lies between car and engine. Both Aston Martin and Honda are a long way from being competitive, both know that&#8217;s the case, and both have a lot of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092894\/1\/honda-only-responsible-half-aston-martins-f1-pace-deficit-fresh-report-claims&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268871676.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Honda only responsible for half of Aston Martin\u2019s F1 pace deficit, fresh report claims A new report has detailed why Honda is not all to blame for Aston Martin&#8217;s current F1 pace deficit. Lewis Larkam 07 Apr 2026 Share Aston Martin sit last in the constructors&#8217; championship Add as a preferred source [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1870606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870606","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1870606"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1870606\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1870606"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1870606"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1870606"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}