Honda will have as its main objective at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend to improve the drivability of its engine. The updated power unit debuted in Zandvoort, while the Japanese manufacturer continues trying to regain ground after the difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The task will be even more crucial given Monza’s characteristics, a circuit with long straightaways and a high demand for power. Honda acknowledges that it is still behind its rivals in this respect: “Monza is a unique circuit, with one of the highest shares of total acceleration on the 2026 calendar, due to its long straights and only 11 corners,” said Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s F1 chief engineer.
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“On this track, the way you distribute the limited energy along these sections becomes crucial, and this is amplified in qualifying. Monza lap times are highly sensitive to power. With the introduction of our spec 2 engine in Zandvoort, we have moved forward in terms of performance, but we need to be realistic about the upcoming weekend, as we know we are still behind our rivals in overall power.”
Despite Fernando Alonso finishing the Dutch Grand Prix in ninth place, earning points for Aston Martin, the team does not regard the result as a priority for Monza. “Our main focus at the Italian Grand Prix is to improve drivability,” Orihara said. “Since the Netherlands Grand Prix, we have been working a lot on the HRC Sakura dynamometer to improve this and, specifically, to achieve stable and consistent combustion control. At Monza, we will be confirming the effect of this work and making additional adjustments, which will give us more competitiveness in the upcoming races,” he concluded.
