Lobato warns Honda friction may truly test Alonso’s patience
Tensions between Aston Martin and Honda are beginning to surface in public, according to Spanish broadcaster Antonio Lobato, who warns that the strain inside one of Formula 1’s most closely watched partnerships could test the patience of Fernando Alonso. Speaking on SoyMotor, the DAZN Formula 1 commentator said that “tensions and bad vibes are starting to emerge” between the Silverstone-based team and its engine supplier.
A Difficult First Season Together
The comments arrive during a demanding first season together. Honda returned to Formula 1 in 2026 as a full works manufacturer with Aston Martin as its only customer, while Adrian Newey designed the AMR26 chassis. Expectations were high. The reality, as reported across the paddock since pre-season testing, has been a campaign shaped by reliability concerns, vibration problems and limited running.
Lobato’s Turbo Claim Examined
Lobato’s remarks centre on a disagreement over a turbocharger. He said Honda chief engineer Shintaro Orihara had denied to Alonso that the turbo was broken, and argued that the Japanese manufacturer “has been hammered for reasons of its own making” and “doesn’t want to take any more hits”. These are Lobato’s characterisations rather than confirmed statements, and this report found no on-record confirmation of such an exchange.
Honda’s Post-Baku Engine Analysis
The public record nevertheless offers useful context. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Alonso, who retired from the race, said the power unit was the reason. Honda’s initial post-race analysis, reported by AS, found no fault, with Orihara stating that “based on the data we’ve reviewed so far, the engine is fine”. That assessment was explicitly preliminary, and a deeper investigation was still to follow.
The partnership has faced scrutiny from the outset. In March, Newey acknowledged that Aston Martin only learned in November that much of Honda’s experienced Formula 1 workforce had not returned when the manufacturer re-formed its programme, with only around 30 per cent of the original team working on the project. Honda, meanwhile, has pointed to measures at its Sakura facility to address battery vibration, and Orihara described a full race distance for Alonso at Suzuka as a first good step in terms of reliability. Progress has been real but still uneven, which is precisely the environment in which frustration tends to build.
Turbo Upgrades and the 2027 Roadmap
Turbochargers have been a specific focus of Honda’s development work. Orihara has explained that the manufacturer used its second ADUO upgrade allocation to introduce a new turbocharger aimed at improving driveability and reducing turbo lag. It was fitted to Stroll’s car in Spain and to Alonso’s in Azerbaijan. With the MGU-H removed under the 2026 regulations, Orihara has noted that the turbo must now behave differently from previous seasons.
Honda has also been candid about its timeline. Orihara has said the company is now concentrating on its 2027 engine while working closely with Aston Martin to integrate the power unit into the team’s new chassis. Reporting by GPFans, citing his comments to Motorsport.com, indicates he has cautioned that a return to the front of the grid in terms of power could take until 2028.
Why Alonso’s Patience Is at Stake
That outlook is central to Lobato’s warning about Alonso. “The problem is going to wear out Fernando’s patience,” he said. The two-time world champion, who turned 45 this year, scored two points with ninth at Zandvoort, his best result at the time. Alonso has also not been shy about contradicting Honda’s optimism in public, as he did in March when he disputed the manufacturer’s upbeat reading of progress in Melbourne.
Lawrence Stroll and Lobato’s Rhetoric
Lobato was more colourful about team owner Lawrence Stroll. “Lawrence Stroll didn’t build the business empire he has by being a meek little lamb, and this situation must be driving him up the wall,” he said, before imagining the billionaire declaring that he would travel to Japan and “grab all the Japanese execs by the collar until they give me an engine that actually works”. This is clearly rhetorical speculation by the commentator, not a reported statement or plan by Stroll. In March, Honda Racing’s Ikuo Takeishi denied any knowledge of moves by Aston Martin to end the works partnership.
Weighing the Source
Readers should weigh his perspective accordingly. Lobato has previously described Aston Martin’s situation as the biggest blunder by a team in Formula 1 history, drawing a parallel with the McLaren-Honda partnership from more than a decade ago. His relationship with Alonso has been publicly strained for some time, which makes his commentary opinion rather than insider reporting.
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Even so, his closing assessment captures a sentiment shared by many observers. “If you look ahead, it’s all scary,” Lobato said. “I don’t know if the solution is easy. I don’t trust Honda one bit.”
The Outlook for Aston Martin and Honda
For now, the facts are straightforward. Honda says it is working on a better engine, Aston Martin says it is working with Honda, and Alonso is racing in the middle of it. Whether that unity holds through a long development cycle will be one of the defining stories of Formula 1’s 2026 and 2027 seasons.
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