Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll says the team's engine performance is a significant disadvantage, costing the car up to two seconds per lap.
Key facts
- •Lance Stroll claims the Honda power unit is currently costing Aston Martin two seconds per lap.
- •The team has recorded a combined 16 retirements for drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll across the first 15 rounds of the 2026 season.
- •Stroll identified long straights as the team's greatest weakness due to a lack of engine power.
- •Aston Martin implemented significant car upgrades during the summer, with a notable step forward in Budapest.
- •The team has established a development plan for the 2027 season to address aerodynamic deficiencies.
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has identified the Honda power unit as the primary performance limitation for the team during the 2026 Formula 1 season. Speaking ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix, Stroll stated that the engine deficit costs the team approximately two seconds per lap depending on the circuit. This power disadvantage has been particularly detrimental at high-speed tracks like Baku and Monza.
By the numbers
Performance Challenges and 2027 Outlook
Stroll noted that while the team has a clear development plan to improve the car's aerodynamics and downforce for the 2027 season, the engine remains the biggest uncertainty. The team acknowledges that their development for the current regulations began later than their competitors, though they made progress following updates introduced in Budapest. According to Stroll, the team's performance is heavily influenced by track layout, with circuits featuring long straights proving the most difficult. Conversely, tracks with fewer straights and more corners, such as Budapest, have been more favorable for the team's current package.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Sportal.bg.
