Source: Official Team Post via X
Damon Hill Surprised by Fernando Alonso’s Honda Power Display
Damon Hill found Fernando Alonso's performance in the US GP unexpectedly impressive despite his frequent criticism of Honda’s power unit. Alonso's straightforward overtake of Carlos Sainz's Williams caught Hill's attention.
Fernando Alonso's recent performance at the United States Grand Prix has thrown a curveball at those closely watching Aston Martin's struggles this season. Despite his vocal criticism of Honda's power unit, Alonso provided a glimmer of hope for the team, even if his final position was less than stellar. Both Alonso and Lance Stroll finished far from the points in P15 and P16, with the Spaniard starting from P12 but slipping back as the race unfolded.
It was during his tussle with Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, that Alonso managed a clean pass down the pit straight, which left former F1 champion Damon Hill rather puzzled. Hill, while commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, noted how surprisingly effortless the maneuver seemed, especially given Aston Martin's ongoing complaints about a lack of power. "That is extremely surprising to see from a team complaining all the time about the lack of power. Alonso getting past the Williams, which is also quite good in a straight line," Hill remarked.
Hill suggested that there might be more to the story than just raw engine power, mentioning the importance of energy deployment, battery charge, and overall strategy. The Virtual Safety Car during the race allowed teams to manage their battery charge more effectively, which may have played a role in Alonso's unexpected performance.
Though Aston Martin is far from where they hoped to be this season, there are signs that progress is on the horizon. Honda has plans to boost the power unit by 50 horsepower for the 2027 season, and some improvements are already visible. While overtaking a slower Williams might not be a headline-grabbing achievement, it does suggest that Aston Martin and Honda are not entirely out of the game. The current Mercedes power unit's performance offers some consolation as they look to the future.
As the season progresses, Aston Martin will be hoping to capitalize on any gains they can make. With engine performance being a crucial factor, both the team and drivers like Alonso will be eager to see if Honda's planned developments can propel them back into competitive contention.