Aston Martin’s factory engine deal with Honda for 2026 marks an important step for the team as it aims to compete for championships on a regular basis.
The new block regulations coming in 2026 will focus more on MGU-K, due to the removal of MGU-H and the introduction of fully sustainable fuels.
Six manufacturers will join the network, including Audi, which will partner with Sauber, and Red Bull Powertrains, which will merge with Ford.
While there are obvious benefits to becoming a works team in the competition’s current order, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner believes customer teams can still grow and succeed.
“What engines does Aston Martin power? Mercedes. Where is Aston Martin? At the moment they are in front of Mercedes,” he told the media, including Racing News365.com.
“While you all think it will change the future, you always have to live in reality too.
“There is a good chance that the customer team will do better than the factory team, as is happening now.”
Steiner: Uncertainty over 2,026 power units will shake up the competition
Steiner believes the uncertainty over how competitive each powertrain will be in 2026 will shake the order.
“In 2026, there are six engine manufacturers and there may be two or three that do an inferior job. But if you have the right producer, you’re ahead of the other,” he added.
“So being a customer also has advantages. If you go out there and make your own engine and the engine is not good, what have you achieved then? So I think everything is open.
“You can think of many scenarios that could and should happen, but the fact is that right now the customer team is beating the factory team. Nice work team by the way!”
