Honda admitted that the engine vibration problem persisted in the Aston Martin cars in Australia, where a solution was expected to have been found. Adrian Newey stated that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll even feared permanent nerve damage after 25 and 15 consecutive laps, respectively.
Read more F1: Brundle defends 2026 rule adjustments after Australian GP
Formula 1’s next commitment is the Chinese GP, followed by the race in Suzuka, Japan, Honda’s home. The manufacturer’s boss, Yasuharu Watanabe, stated: “I want to ensure that the countermeasures for the vibrations are properly implemented before Suzuka and that the power unit can be used without problems.”
He also highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation with Aston Martin: “We are in contact with Newey every day, while on Fridays and Saturdays we have meetings with Lawrence Stroll. We need to increase the speed of development and work well as a single team.”
Read more F1: Wolff comments on Ferrari’s strength at starts and possible risks
Newey commented that only 30% of Honda’s original engine team remains, and Aston Martin only learned of the manufacturer’s difficulties late last year. Watanabe, in turn, stated that Honda has “fundamentally strengthened the staff” and that its goal is to “make it competitive quickly,” combining power unit and car development.
Read more F1: Aggressive braking may have caused Verstappen’s accident in Australia, says Palmer
