The president of Sling HRC, Koji Watanabe, recently expressed concerns about the development of the 2026 engine, which will be used by Aston Martin. He mentioned that the team is “fighting many difficulties” in this process. However, it is essential to consider the Japanese character of caution and transparency when interpreting these statements. If another brand had made similar comments, they might have focused on the promising data and the potential to be a reference in the new era of hybrid engines.
Christian Horner, Director of Red Bull Racing, was asked about this matter and prefers not to draw conclusions early. He defends his current motorization, which will cease to be in 2026, and will associate exclusively with Aston Martin to equip Adrian Newey’s first car in Silverstone. Horner acknowledges that Honda may have lost some time due to the dismantling and restarting of their project, but he believes they are a capable company with great strength. He is confident that they will have a competitive power unit in 2026.
Horner’s comments suggest that the challenges faced by Honda are not unique, and other teams, such as Red Bull PowerTrains in association with Ford, are also experiencing difficulties in developing their engines. He mentions that manufacturing an engine from scratch with a newly created company is a significant challenge, but they are doing it well. Horner emphasizes that it is the right decision for his team, despite the demanding deadlines and uncertainty about what their opponents are doing.
In Aston Martin, they now have Andy Cowell, the former head of the Mercedes engine, who dominated the hybrid technology era with seven consecutive titles. Cowell’s expertise in this type of technology can be crucial in overcoming the challenges faced by the team. With a full year of development remaining, Aston Martin has the means to solve possible setbacks and create a competitive power unit.
The new 2026 engine will increase electric delivery from 180cv to 475cv, eliminating the MGU-H and introducing sustainable fuels. This significant change will require careful development and testing to ensure that the engine is competitive and reliable. With the help of Andy Cowell and the expertise of the Aston Martin team, they are well-equipped to face the challenges ahead and achieve their goals in the 2026 season.