2026 Watch

[Number 1 Jasper]

Sounds like Aston and Honda have come up with what could be a good excuse to the problems. They are blaming excess vibrations causing battery issues!
They are saying that IF they can sort the vibrations then their PU will be able to increase power to max. I do wonder if some problems have been caused by gearbox issues or cooling miscalculations?
They are suggesting that they are OK about meeting the homologation date (tomorrow, 1st March) I think as their main problem is vibrations not ICE/PU.

When Honda last started in 2015 with McLaren didn't they have vibration issues as well? It seems like they are having problems on track so do they have test bed to track correlation issues again? It's a bit déjà vu as far as I can see. Didn't McLaren try very tight bodywork as well - size zero springs to mind?

I almost feel sorry for Aston, then again they do have Lance....... So maybe we should all feel sorry for them

IMHO .

Lance isn’t a bad driver , he’s just so utterly dislikeable , though my opinion of that aspect is of no consequence what so ever .

It’s his Dad I have the real problem with .

I read an article where it said he thinks he can splash the cash and it will all just work .

Um NO Lawrence , it’s not that simple .

He’s a bully and the Japanese in particular won’t take kindly to it if he tries to treat them like he appears to treat his other team members .

 

[Sportista]

IMHO .

Lance isn’t a bad driver , he’s just so utterly dislikeable , though my opinion of that aspect is of no consequence what so ever .

It’s his Dad I have the real problem with .

I read an article where it said he thinks he can splash the cash and it will all just work .

Um NO Lawrence , it’s not that simple .

He’s a bully and the Japanese in particular won’t take kindly to it if he tries to treat them like he appears to treat his other team members .

Without his Dad’s backing I do think Lance would have been filtered out of the sport by now, he’s an ok F1 driver, similar to many who have filled lower midfield and back of the grid teams over the years, but eventually their sponsorship runs out or a new prospect comes along and they lose out in the merry go round. Although to be fair I had someone like Grosjean in mind when writing this and I realised he managed 8 and a bit seasons in F1, whilst Lance is just entering his ninth, so maybe it is the perception of a seat for life - no matter the competitive level of the team - that drives this opinion rather than absolute facts.

On Lawrence Stroll, obviously you want to see a return on your investment, and also I guess the idea that he’s creating this for Lance adds an additional time pressure - although I don’t think that should be a big factor yet. Ultimately this year Aston could have been anywhere on the grid, but realistically with everything being so new and a couple of key elements joining late, the chances were it was going to be less than the sum of its parts, and it has turned out that it’s currently as bad as it could have been. They don’t really need anything else from a money perspective now, so really all he’s got left is to exert influence on the team he’s put in place to decide whether to keep faith with them or not.

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

Without his Dad’s backing I do think Lance would have been filtered out of the sport by now, he’s an ok F1 driver, similar to many who have filled lower midfield and back of the grid teams over the years, but eventually their sponsorship runs out or a new prospect comes along and they lose out in the merry go round. Although to be fair I had someone like Grosjean in mind when writing this and I realised he managed 8 and a bit seasons in F1, whilst Lance is just entering his ninth, so maybe it is the perception of a seat for life - no matter the competitive level of the team - that drives this opinion rather than absolute facts.

On Lawrence Stroll, obviously you want to see a return on your investment, and also I guess the idea that he’s creating this for Lance adds an additional time pressure - although I don’t think that should be a big factor yet. Ultimately this year Aston could have been anywhere on the grid, but realistically with everything being so new and a couple of key elements joining late, the chances were it was going to be less than the sum of its parts, and it has turned out that it’s currently as bad as it could have been. They don’t really need anything else from a money perspective now, so really all he’s got left is to exert influence on the team he’s put in place to decide whether to keep faith with them or not.

Fair comment .

It’s How Stroll SNR goes about exerting influence on the team ( esp Honda ) that will be a big issue IMHO .

 

[Big Ern]

All F1 team owners are sickeningly rich and try to buy success, and most F1 drivers come from sickeningly rich families, I don't really understand why Stroll snr gets it in the neck and the others don't.

 

[Sportista]

All F1 team owners are sickeningly rich and try to buy success, and most F1 drivers come from sickeningly rich families, I don't really understand why Stroll snr gets it in the neck and the others don't.

I think its a lot about the fact that he’s trying to shake up the competitive order, it’s definitely easier to take pot shots at individuals, but even so I do think it’s not dissimilar to the “just a fizzy drink company” pile on that RedBull suffered when they started making moves to make themselves competitive.

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

All F1 team owners are sickeningly rich and try to buy success, and most F1 drivers come from sickeningly rich families, I don't really understand why Stroll snr gets it in the neck and the others don't.

Because IMHO he’s a particularly nasty individual .

I remember when a crewman died getting back onto one of his boats following a night out , he slipped and fell ( I think ) , iirc the coroner or Judge criticised Stolls attitude to the loss of a crew member .

 

[Big Ern]

Because IMHO he’s a particularly nasty individual .

I remember when a crewman died getting back onto one of his boats following a night out , he slipped and fell ( I think ) , iirc the coroner or Judge criticised Stolls attitude to the loss of a crew member .

Well, reading the story, the judge criticized the safety precautions, and it wasn't aimed at Stroll, it was 'industry wide' criticism of marine safety. And it seems the crewman had been out on the piss with his friends, came back drunk, found the yacht locked up, so tried to break in, slipped, fell and drowned.
Whenever I've hurt myself whilst drunk it's pretty much always been my fault.

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

Well, reading the story, the judge criticized the safety precautions, and it wasn't aimed at Stroll, it was 'industry wide' criticism of marine safety. And it seems the crewman had been out on the piss with his friends, came back drunk, found the yacht locked up, so tried to break in, slipped, fell and drowned.
Whenever I've hurt myself whilst drunk it's pretty much always been my fault.

Yes I saw that , but I’m 99% sure I saw a piece where Stroll was criticised for his attitude towards the loss of a crew member , though I admit I can’t find it now .

 

[Justjazz]

W

So if I’ve understood this right.
Now 16:1 at ambient and anything you like outside of that
June 1st 16:1 at ambient and 130 deg C (and Merc claim they meet this already so no actual impact to them)
2027 16:1 at 130 deg C and anything you like outside of that.

Basically they’re making it easier to hit 16:1 in 2027 and limiting the ability to operate above 16:1 from 1st June.

Well according to the Internet, the combustion chamber can reach 2600C. The coolant reaches about 120C to 130C. So what is being measured at 130C, is it the coolant? If it is the chamber, it has very soon long past that temperature.

 

[ched999uk]

W

Well according to the Internet, the combustion chamber can reach 2600C. The coolant reaches about 120C to 130C. So what is being measured at 130C, is it the coolant? If it is the chamber, it has very soon long past that temperature.

I can only assume it's the dimensions of the components. As far as I am aware compression ratio is only a calculation based on dimensions. The under crown of the piston will be well over 250DegC, the crown will be subject to combustion temps (as you say 2600DegC+), the rings and lands will also see combustion temps as will the valves and head.
I really can't see that measuring components at 130DegC will actually see much of a change in dimensions. I think I read that Toto was suggesting that the engine would already pass if tested at 130DegC!

I'm sort of wondering if the initial shock of the PU manufacturers finding out about Mercs hot compression ratio has somewhat fizzled out and ended up in them having to publicly make a change to be seen to be doing something. When in actually real terms nothing needs to change on the Merc ICE to pass the new test?

 

[Sportista]

I’d guess 130degC is chosen as a typical engine operating temperature in terms of the bulk temps of the key components. 2600degC will be the gas temperatures inside the cylinder.

I think there was probably a bit of fear in the early days of this coming out that Merc were gaining compression ratio back to the previous 18:1 limit. If we believe Toto that they’re compliant already, then actually probably what they’ve achieved is to stay at or very near to 16:1 when hot, rather than being 16:1 ambient and then - say 15:1 at operating temps, which would be more typical. The June rules basically ensure this is the case and then the 2027 rules mean that operating at 16:1 is just a combustion topic and doesn’t require fancy materials science to maintain geometric ratio across approx 100 degC operating conditions. If we take everyone at their word, it’s probably the ideal situation where one team has done something innovative that wasn’t really intended, gets a year to benefit from it and then the rules stabilise at a slightly more capable point which should mitigate some small part of the energy balance challenge.

 

[Sportista]

Rumours Aston are planning to effectively concede at the Aus GP, they need to attempt to qualify to avoid possible fines, but it seems they plan to just run a couple of laps and retire. I’m sure there are good reasons behind this, rather than seeing what they can do, but it’s honestly really disappointing and a level of capability that I can’t recall being seen in F1 since the days of pre-qualifying.

 

[Justjazz]

Rumours Aston are planning to effectively concede at the Aus GP, they need to attempt to qualify to avoid possible fines, but it seems they plan to just run a couple of laps and retire. I’m sure there are good reasons behind this, rather than seeing what they can do, but it’s honestly really disappointing and a level of capability that I can’t recall being seen in F1 since the days of pre-qualifying.

If that is the case it is all a bit shocking. Is it Honda not managing to meet deadlines? This feels reminiscent of when Honda came back to F1 at Mclaren. Poor Alonso, he has been here before.

 

[ched999uk]

If that is the case it is all a bit shocking. Is it Honda not managing to meet deadlines? This feels reminiscent of when Honda came back to F1 at Mclaren. Poor Alonso, he has been here before.

Honda seem to be blaming vibrations causing battery issues. They also say they don't know what is causing the vibrations!!
I do seem to remember McL and Honda having vibration issues when the worked together!

I bet when Stroll told Alonso that Honda were coming back his heart sank!

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

Honda seem to be blaming vibrations causing battery issues. They also say they don't know what is causing the vibrations!!
I do seem to remember McL and Honda having vibration issues when the worked together!

I bet when Stroll told Alonso that Honda were coming back his heart sank!

In all honesty I can see Alonso walking away from F1 , doubt he can be arsed trailing around towards the back , and I don’t blame him .

He’ll give it a bloody good go , but if it doesn’t improve drastically …

 

[Sportista]

Honda seem to be blaming vibrations causing battery issues. They also say they don't know what is causing the vibrations!!
I do seem to remember McL and Honda having vibration issues when the worked together!

I bet when Stroll told Alonso that Honda were coming back his heart sank!

I’d guess that means they have engine knock (pre ignition), but don’t know why. I wonder if it’s something that only occurs or is much more severe when installed in the car? Massively hard thing to track down and fix, especially so if it’s the latter.

In all honesty I can see Alonso walking away from F1 , doubt he can be arsed trailing around towards the back , and I don’t blame him .

He’ll give it a bloody good go , but if it doesn’t improve drastically …

I remember last year he said he was more likely to continue, if it wasn’t good - which I took to mean “there’s only one seat available here and realistically if we’re a competitive force someone younger and with a longer future in the sport is going to want it.” It must be worse than he was thinking when he said that though and he’s having his first child this year, so lots of reasons to stop. It’s amazing how sorry you can feel for a guy who’s a two time world champion…

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

I’d guess that means they have engine knock (pre ignition), but don’t know why. I wonder if it’s something that only occurs or is much more severe when installed in the car? Massively hard thing to track down and fix, especially so if it’s the latter.



I remember last year he said he was more likely to continue, if it wasn’t good - which I took to mean “there’s only one seat available here and realistically if we’re a competitive force someone younger and with a longer future in the sport is going to want it.” It must be worse than he was thinking when he said that though and he’s having his first child this year, so lots of reasons to stop. It’s amazing how sorry you can feel for a guy who’s a two time world champion…

I only have limited sympathy for Alonso though .

Sounds like a real character , but when it comes to F1 , he comes across to me as very VERY Political and divisive .
Also he seems to have this knack of being in the wrong team at the wrong time , often moving because of his own actions / desires .

 

[Sportista]

I only have limited sympathy for Alonso though .

Sounds like a real character , but when it comes to F1 , he comes across to me as very VERY Political and divisive .
Also he seems to have this knack of being in the wrong team at the wrong time , often moving because of his own actions / desires .

It’s a fair opinion, but not one I share. The wrong team, wrong time thing comes up a lot, but it’s hard to imagine what else he could have done? Between 2009 and 2024 Brawn/Merc/RedBull have won every championship. Brawn’s success was a massive surprise and RedBull develop their own stars, so once Merc went for Hamilton, he’s had to try and find the next best thing. That nearly worked out at Ferrari so that has to be classed as the best possible move at the right time. I don’t think it’s reasonable to think he should have stuck it out at McLaren for 7 more years until they came good and Aston Martin probably was the right move on paper, certainly I don’t think there’s one he should have made instead.

It’s fair to say that the political, outspoken behaviour, might have cost him a longer spell at Ferrari (was only going to result in some more near misses) or maybe the chance of a Merc seat (I think they probably would have gone for Hamilton anyway), but I don’t think it’s materially changed the chances he’s had to win another championship.

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

It’s a fair opinion, but not one I share. The wrong team, wrong time thing comes up a lot, but it’s hard to imagine what else he could have done? Between 2009 and 2024 Brawn/Merc/RedBull have won every championship. Brawn’s success was a massive surprise and RedBull develop their own stars, so once Merc went for Hamilton, he’s had to try and find the next best thing. That nearly worked out at Ferrari so that has to be classed as the best possible move at the right time. I don’t think it’s reasonable to think he should have stuck it out at McLaren for 7 more years until they came good and Aston Martin probably was the right move on paper, certainly I don’t think there’s one he should have made instead.

It’s fair to say that the political, outspoken behaviour, might have cost him a longer spell at Ferrari (was only going to result in some more near misses) or maybe the chance of a Merc seat (I think they probably would have gone for Hamilton anyway), but I don’t think it’s materially changed the chances he’s had to win another championship.

Fair comment and I agree with some of it .

He didn’t help himself in a big way by telling Ron Dennis he would report McLaren to the FIA over spygate .

Dennis believed his threat and went to the FIA himself .

The fact Alonso even threatened to do that doesn’t make him look good at all IMHO .

 

[Sportista]

Fair comment and I agree with some of it .

He didn’t help himself in a big way by telling Ron Dennis he would report McLaren to the FIA over spygate .

Dennis believed his threat and went to the FIA himself .

The fact Alonso even threatened to do that doesn’t make him look good at all IMHO .

I think it gets forgotten that was prompted by Hamilton breaking team fairness agreements and Ron not being prepared to side with Fernando over his protégé. I think ultimately from that moment Fernando was going to end up leaving McLaren even if he hadn’t made that threat, the situation was only going to get worse from there.