Honda rejects claims that the Spec 2 engine was a failure.

      Honda has pushed back against claims that its highly anticipated Spec 2 engine upgrade did not meet expectations at Zandvoort, asserting that the new power unit achieved the performance levels observed on the dynamometer. Reports surrounding the Dutch Grand Prix indicated that Honda aimed for an increase of approximately 50 horsepower but delivered less than 20 on track, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll openly criticizing the new engine’s drivability.

      In an interview with as-web.jp, Honda Racing Corporation's trackside chief Shintaro Orihara stated that the actual performance gain was not the issue. "In terms of performance, the data verifies that the figures we analyzed on our bench were reflected on the track," he mentioned. "As for reliability, we managed to navigate the weekend without any issues, so in that aspect, everything went as planned."

      However, Orihara recognized that modifications to the combustion specification essentially reintroduced some of the drivability challenges that Honda had worked to resolve during the first half of the season. Alonso compared this situation to starting "back to square one."

      "There are indeed challenges related to drivability," Orihara acknowledged, "but we have confirmed that performance will improve if we take the necessary steps to enhance it, so we do not view Spec 2 as a failure." He noted, "We observed some improvement, but we have not yet achieved the level of providing stable torque."

      The primary feedback from both Aston Martin drivers revolved around erratic engine braking and throttle response. "Specifically, they are experiencing issues with engine braking during deceleration, which varies from lap to lap," the Japanese official explained. "The torque did not respond as anticipated to the accelerator input, or conversely, it was excessive. This led to sudden wheelspin at corner exits, making it difficult for the drivers to push confidently."

      Orihara conceded that Honda still lags behind the benchmarks in Formula 1. "The performance has undoubtedly progressed compared to Spec 1," he stated. Looking towards Monza, he warned, "Unfortunately, although we have updated our power unit, it remains suboptimal. Hence, we are bracing for a challenging race at Monza."