Shintaro Orihara Sets Honda Upgrade for 2026 Dutch GP

Shintaro Orihara has revealed that Honda is targeting the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix for its major power-unit upgrade. The new package is planned to become available to Aston Martin at the first round after the summer break at Circuit Zandvoort.

Honda had previously stated only that the revised engine would arrive during the summer without identifying a specific event. Orihara, Honda’s trackside general manager and chief engineer, has now confirmed Zandvoort as the official target, although development of the package has not yet been completed.

“I kept saying summer; maybe that’s a boring answer. So, I’ll say our target is the Netherlands,” Orihara told selected media, including RacingNews365.

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The schedule means Aston Martin must complete several more rounds with its current power-unit specification. Honda’s upgrade will arrive after the AMR26 chassis update, which is planned for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break.

That development sequence will allow the team to separate the effects of its chassis and engine changes. Data gathered at the Hungaroring can be used to assess the revised AMR26 before the new power unit is introduced when the Formula 1 season resumes in the Netherlands.

Honda is prioritising internal performance improvements without making major changes to the installation of the power unit. One of the principal development areas is the combustion-chamber shape, which will be modified to improve the quality and efficiency of combustion.

“Our focus is to improve engine performance. We are working on the combustion-chamber shape, and we will change it to improve our combustion performance,” Orihara explained.

The Japanese manufacturer is also revising its lubrication system to reduce internal friction. Lower mechanical losses could improve efficiency and engine output, although Honda recognises that any increase in performance must be supported by stronger component durability.

“We are also working to reduce friction by modifying our lubrication system. Of course, we are trying to improve durability because, if we increase performance, we need to increase durability,” he said.

The Zandvoort target is significant for Honda and Aston Martin following an opening phase of the season that has fallen below expectations. If the combustion, lubrication and durability changes are completed on schedule, the Dutch Grand Prix will provide the first assessment of whether the new package can improve the AMR26’s competitiveness during the second half of 2026.