Honda Racing Corporation quietly introduced its second ADUO (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) upgrade during the 2026 Formula 1® season, focusing on a new turbocharger. This upgrade was first fitted at the Spanish Grand Prix, marking a strategic step in Aston Martin Racing’s ongoing power unit development.
The second ADUO upgrade followed the initial one, which debuted at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. Honda was granted two ADUO tokens due to its power unit lagging more than 4% behind the leading Red Bull-Ford engine. The staggered rollout saw Lance Stroll’s car receive the new turbocharger at the Spanish Grand Prix, while Fernando Alonso’s car was fitted with the upgrade later at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The introduction of the Spec 2 power unit in the Netherlands brought some drivability challenges, notably turbo lag. The turbocharger upgrade in Spain aimed to address these issues and improve the overall performance of the power unit. Honda president Koji Watanabe confirmed that the decision to split the upgrades between the Netherlands and Spain was a deliberate strategy to manage development effectively.
Aston Martin’s performance showed signs of improvement after a significant chassis upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix combined with the first ADUO upgrade at Zandvoort. However, Honda acknowledges that the power unit is not yet delivering its full potential. The focus for the remainder of the season will shift towards non-hardware developments rather than further physical upgrades.
When Honda previously supplied Red Bull Racing, the emphasis was on enhancing reliability by gradually increasing the power unit’s operating limits without introducing hardware changes. This approach contrasts with the current strategy, which includes hardware upgrades like the turbocharger to tackle specific performance issues.
Both Aston Martin drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, have experienced the impact of these developments firsthand. While Stroll received the turbo upgrade at the Spanish Grand Prix, Alonso’s car was updated with the same component at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, reflecting the staggered nature of the rollout.
Honda’s cautious approach highlights the challenges of closing the gap to the leading power units in the championship. The turbocharger upgrade represents a targeted effort to improve drivability and reduce turbo lag, but the full benefits remain to be seen as the team continues its development throughout the season.