Source: Official Team Post via X
Honda Eyes 'Big Step' in F1 Power Unit Upgrades by 2027
Honda plans significant power unit upgrades for the 2027 F1 season, aiming to close the gap with leading engines. The improvements will come in two phases, with a major upgrade expected by mid-season.
Honda is on a mission to enhance its power unit performance by 2027, aiming to close the gap with the benchmark set by Red Bull Powertrains. According to Honda's chief engineer, Shintaro Orihara, the company plans to introduce two major sets of improvements that year, with a significant upgrade slated for the season's start.
Honda and its partners, including Ferrari and Audi, benefit from two additional development and upgrade opportunities (ADUO) tokens. This advantage is granted because they have a four percent or greater internal combustion power deficit compared to the grid's leading engine.
Aston Martin, which has partnered with Honda for its power units, has been working to address the engine's weaknesses. The collaboration aims to improve the power unit's packaging and eliminate early vibration issues that have plagued the AMR26 chassis. Aston Martin's team principal, Adrian Newey, has highlighted that Honda is committed to delivering improvements in two phases during 2027, subject to regulatory approval. "There’s a lot of energy and projects on the way now," Newey remarked, indicating a promising outlook.
Orihara confirmed the timeline, stating, "We need some steps to catch up with the top competitor. Our target is to bring some steps for round one, but still in round one, we have said we wouldn’t be the top competitor, so we need one more step." The plan is to introduce a major upgrade by round eight, which is part of Honda's strategic roadmap.
The focus on internal combustion power will intensify in 2027 and 2028, with the FIA regulations shifting towards a 60-40 ratio favoring the V6 combustion engine. This change reduces the role of electronics in the overall power unit, an area where Honda acknowledges it needs improvement. "Our weak point is combustion," Orihara noted, emphasizing the importance of engine performance in the upcoming years.
Adrian Newey, familiar with Honda's capabilities from his time at Red Bull, expressed confidence in Honda's potential to catch up. "I would say at the moment, in all truth, Honda are a little bit behind where Red Bull was when they picked up Honda in '19," Newey observed. However, he remains optimistic, citing Honda's track record and ability to address the challenges posed by the current power unit regulations.