Honda\u2019s new-specification power unit has run on-track for the first time during an Aston Martin filming day in Hungary, in preparation for its planned race debut at the Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
It is due to complement a major car upgrade package introduced by Aston Martin<\/a> at last weekend\u2019s Budapest round, with the AMR26 absorbing no fewer than 16 developments<\/a>.<\/p>\n Those changes helped Fernando Alonso<\/a> secure the squad\u2019s first Q2 appearance of the season, before the Spaniard followed team mate Lance Stroll<\/a> home in respective P13 and P14 finishes.<\/p>\n After the event, Aston Martin \u2013 along with Alpine<\/a> and Audi<\/a> \u2013 stayed on at the Hungaroring to help Pirelli with tyre testing<\/a>, before conducting a filming day on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Honda<\/a>\u2019s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, Shintaro Orihara, had already confirmed the manufacturer\u2019s plans while reviewing their Hungarian race weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Hungary, we have been supporting the team with the power unit integration,\u201d he said, amid the sweeping changes to the AMR26. \u201cWe\u2019ve also been able to collect vital data, which will help us come the next race.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will now take the important step of introducing our new-spec power unit in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore then, during Wednesday\u2019s filming day, we will run the new engine in the AMR26 for the first time, before the summer shutdown commences.\u201d<\/p>\n On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Honda\u2019s F1 operation confirmed to F1.com that the new engine has indeed hit the track during the filming day, with attention now turning towards more running at Zandvoort<\/a> in just over three weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n