Alonso criticizes Honda's power unit

Fernando Alonso expressed frustration with Honda's power unit during the Singapore Grand Prix, saying the Japanese manufacturer's engine has had limitations since the start of the 2026 season. He pointed to issues with the turbocharger and energy deployment as key problems affecting his performance.

Dispute over turbocharger replacement

Tensions arose when Alonso believed his turbocharger was faulty and needed replacement before the race. Honda, however, stated no clear fault was found and that the replacement would be due to Alonso's concerns, not a confirmed technical issue.

Alonso's frustration during the race

During the race, Alonso voiced his dissatisfaction over the irregular deployment of electrical energy. He told the team on the radio, "Haha. The energy... This engine is so ridiculous!" He later said these issues hurt his performance, especially after virtual safety car periods.

Challenges with new power units

The new 2026 power units require an almost equal balance of thermal and electrical power. On a track like Singapore, where braking and acceleration alternate frequently, managing energy recovery and use becomes a major challenge.

Honda admits need for improvement

Shintaro Orihara, Honda's chief engineer, acknowledged the need for progress in energy management. He noted that on this type of circuit, energy recovery varies, and adjustments are needed for driving ease and power availability when following another car.

Aston Martin's ongoing struggles

Aston Martin remains last in the constructors' championship with only seven points, all from Alonso. The team continues to face challenges with the Honda engine, which has hindered their ability to compete effectively with other teams.

Two key issues highlighted

The Singapore Grand Prix exposed two main problems: a disagreement over the turbocharger and Alonso's belief that energy deployment was insufficient. As Honda investigates, it must find solutions quickly to help Aston Martin improve.

Alonso's growing frustration

For Alonso, the ongoing issues with the Honda engine are becoming more apparent and are causing increasing frustration. The wait for improvements is becoming longer, adding pressure on both the driver and the manufacturer.