Honda continues to work tirelessly with Aston Martin to correct its serious engine problems. But as Miami approaches, the Japanese engine manufacturer tempers expectations.
Read more Red Bull shaken: Max Verstappen will leave before his engineer, according to a shock prediction
While the F1 calendar offered a short break after the start of the 2026 F1 season, the teams did not remain inactive. At Aston Martin, the situation is even considered critical enough to mobilize all available resources alongside Honda.
Since the Japanese Grand Prix, engineers from both entities have been working together at the Sakura research and development center in Japan. The objective is clear: to understand and correct the major failures that have been weighing down the team’s performance since the start of the season.
“As you know, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been postponed. But that doesn’t mean the work has stopped” explained Shintaro Orihara, track manager and chief engineer at Honda.
Major and persistent technical problems
Aston Martin’s start to the season is simply catastrophic, with zero points scored after three races and a last place in the constructors’ championship. The cause: severe problems related to the Honda power unit.
The vibrations generated by the engine proved to be much more significant in real conditions than during bench tests. These jolts led to repeated battery failures, to the point of rendering some units completely unusable.
The situation is all the more critical as the regulations severely limit the number of usable components over a season. During the Australian Grand Prix, Honda only had four batteries, two of which failed during the first practice session.
Concerns also about driver safety
Beyond pure performance, these technical problems also raise safety concerns. The extreme vibrations felt in the cockpit could have physical consequences for the drivers.
Read more «Too artificial»: a McLaren driver turns his back on F1
Concerns particularly affect Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, exposed to these difficult conditions. The rigidity of the engine-gearbox-MGU-K assembly amplifies the vibrations, which are directly transmitted to the chassis and thus to the drivers’ hands.
Faced with this crisis, Honda recognizes that the problem cannot be solved solely by working on the power unit. Overall integration, particularly at the chassis level, also plays a key role in the appearance of these vibrations.
This implies close collaboration between the engine manufacturer and the team to review certain technical choices. A complex task that requires time, despite the intensive efforts currently deployed.
“We are working day and night to improve our countermeasures, and this will continue as we approach the next race in Miami” Orihara specified.
Honda calls for patience
Despite this total mobilization, Honda prefers to remain cautious about resolution times. The Japanese engine manufacturer admits that the necessary corrections cannot be implemented immediately.
“We know it will take time, but we will continue to work hard together” concludes Orihara.
As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, Aston Martin finds itself in a delicate position. Between the urgency of results and technical complexity, the team will have to be patient before hoping for a real recovery.
Read more F1 2026: the FIA is already correcting its rules after chaotic beginnings