Honda’s trackside general manager and chief engineer, Shintaro Orihara, has hailed Aston Martin’s breakthrough performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying in Malaysia, where both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll advanced to Q2 for the first time this season. This milestone marks a significant moment for the struggling partnership as the Silverstone-based team battles ongoing challenges in their maiden year with Honda power.
Fernando Alonso secured P12 on the grid for Sunday’s race at the Sepang International Circuit, with teammate Lance Stroll close behind in P14. Both drivers progressed from Q1 in P14 and P15 respectively before their elimination in Q2. This achievement is noteworthy as it represents only the second time this season that an Aston Martin driver has reached the second qualifying session, and the first time both cars have done so simultaneously. Previously, only Alonso had managed this feat at the Hungarian in July.
The progress comes amid a tough campaign marked by integration difficulties and performance shortfalls. Despite Honda’s deployment of Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) tokens, including a hefty 16-upgrade package for the AMR26 chassis introduced at the Hungaroring, a Spec 2 engine upgrade at Zandvoort, and a discreet turbocharger revision at the Spanish in Madrid, Aston Martin has struggled to close the gap. Stroll has openly criticized the Honda power unit’s deficit, estimating a loss of up to two seconds per lap on power-sensitive circuits like Baku and Monza.
Orihara emphasized that meticulous preparation between sessions was crucial to the improved qualifying result. “After FP2, we did a lot of data analysis alongside HRC Sakura, with all the feedback helping us prepare for FP3 and then qualifying,” he explained. “Even in this morning’s session, we were working to make the necessary energy management and driveability improvements, especially for the updated turbocharger. Our package overall is working as expected, despite the hot and humid conditions.”
The milestone carries broader significance for Honda’s collaboration with Aston Martin, which has been plagued by battery reliability issues in pre-season testing and persistent vibration problems with the power unit throughout the year. Orihara underscored the importance of the breakthrough, stating: “The qualifying result is a step in the right direction for Honda, with it being the first time that both cars have made it into Q2. Our attention now shifts to preparing for all eventualities tomorrow, including the threat of rain. We will be ready for all racing scenarios to maximise our results.”
This breakthrough in Malaysia sends a clear message that Honda and Aston Martin are making tangible strides forward, aiming to turn a frustrating season into a foundation for future competitiveness.