Thursday’s Formula 1 news brought significant updates on engine development, the championship battle, and the plans of the leading teams. Honda’s updated power unit made a striking impression during its initial test, while Helmut Marko conceded that he would not bet on a Max Verstappen comeback in the 2026 season.
The new Honda power unit was used by Aston Martin during a filming day at the Hungaroring and is expected to make its official debut at the Dutch Grand Prix. According to information published by Motorsport Italy, the unit could deliver around 30 additional horsepower and would have eliminated the vibrations that hindered the team at the start of the season. The improvement compounds the 16 developments introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as part of a plan that will continue through upcoming events.
At Red Bull, Marko showed little optimism about Verstappen’s prospects of turning things around in the latter part of the season. The Dutch driver sits sixth in the World Championship with 109 points, while Kimi Antonelli leads with 219. Isack Hadjar, for his part, considered it positive to present assessments similar to those of his teammate regarding the car’s troubles, as he believes this confirms the direction needed for development.
The discussion in the Ferrari camp also turned toward the technical run. Charles Leclerc pressed for an aggressive approach to the car’s development and argued that the team should not slow the pace of updates after Hungary’s disappointing result. In McLaren, Andrea Stella revealed that the concept of the single-seater was revised after the team studied solutions used by rivals, a change that contributed to the progress shown at the Hungaroring.
In a different direction, Audi confirmed that it will not bring significant updates to its power unit through 2027. The team will concentrate its available resources on the chassis and aerodynamics of the R26, while laying the groundwork for broader changes for the next season. The race director Allan McNish explained that the decision also involves setting priorities within the budget cap.
The calendar wrapped up the day’s major topics. Formula 1 dropped the idea of hosting two races in Las Vegas, citing the audience clash with the NFL and the customs hurdles faced by British teams following Brexit. The series also intends to keep Bahrain as the opener for 2027, though changes could still occur depending on the situation in the Middle East.
