Source: Official Team Post via X
Alonso's Top Speed at US Grand Prix Offers Honda a Boost of Confidence
Despite finishing 16th, Fernando Alonso clocked the highest top speed at the US Grand Prix, offering a glimmer of hope for Honda's power unit. Aston Martin's Adrian Newey may find solace in this performance as Honda sets ambitious goals for 2027.
Adrian Newey and Fernando Alonso have not been shy about voicing their concerns over Honda's power unit at Aston Martin. However, the tides may be shifting. Alonso's P16 finish at the United States Grand Prix doesn't tell the whole story, as the Spaniard's race was marred by a collision with Alex Albon, resulting in significant damage to his Aston Martin. Despite this setback, Alonso’s performance on the track was commendable, and he was optimistic about Aston Martin's pace once he stepped out of the car.
Alonso has previously criticized Honda for a horsepower deficit compared to other manufacturers, but in Austin, his Aston Martin demonstrated impressive straight-line speed. According to F1BigData, Alonso achieved a top speed of 351 km/h at the Circuit of the Americas, matching the speeds of drivers like George Russell and Arvid Lindblad, who are powered by Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains. Even Lance Stroll, Alonso’s teammate, clocked a solid 346 km/h, indicating a promising direction for Honda.
This performance provides a hint of reassurance for Aston Martin’s chief, Adrian Newey. Although Newey's exceptional chassis design has helped keep Aston Martin competitive on certain tracks, Alonso has frequently been hampered by insufficient power. Fortunately, Honda has laid out ambitious targets for 2027, including a 50 horsepower increase for the next season's engine. The encouraging results in Austin could be a sign that Newey might soon have more confidence in Honda’s capabilities.
With these developments, Honda appears to be on the right track to deliver on its promises, potentially giving Aston Martin a competitive edge in the seasons to come. Alonso's top speed at the US Grand Prix might just be the beginning of a turnaround for Honda’s fortunes in Formula 1.