Aston Martin and Honda's spec 2 engine goes wrong at Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying

The Aston Martin-Honda package faced a setback during Dutch Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying, raising concerns about Fernando Alonso's future with the team. The team had arrived in Zandvoort with renewed optimism following significant chassis upgrades following the Hungarian Grand Prix. However, the revised Spec 2 power unit introduced by Honda on Dutch GP proved to be a different story.

Alonso finished last in Sprint Qualifying, nearly three seconds behind the leading pace. He experienced difficulties in slowing down under braking, attributing the issue to driveability problems caused by the engine over-delivering when both the throttle and brakes were applied simultaneously. The car's straight-line mode, which reduces drag and allows the rear wing to open, also caused issues, further contributing to Alonso's lack of speed.

While Honda's Spec 2 engine upgrade aimed to close the performance gap, it has proven challenging. Honda's F1 project leader Shintaro Orihara had previously warned that the new unit's combustion characteristics required recalibration of the entire lap strategy. Alonso's situation is further complicated by the fact that his time with Aston Martin is limited, and he has been linked with a move to the Alpine F1 team.