Honda president Koji Watanabe said Adrian Newey’s suggestion that the engine manufacturer lacked experience was a “misunderstanding”.
Honda returned to F1 full-time this year after ending its works partnership with Red Bull at the end of 2021, though it continued to supply technical support for the power unit that won further titles with Red Bull until last year. Newey recently said he only became aware of Honda’s struggles in November and that just 30% of the original team that helped Max Verstappen to his 2021 title returned to the full Honda operation that produced Aston Martin’s 2026 power unit.
Speaking at the Japanese Grand Prix, Watanabe said the remarks reflected a misunderstanding and explained Honda’s staffing approach: “Basically, our policy is to rotate the engineers of the motorsport regularly to mass production or more advanced technologies like jet or eVTOL or hydrology or something like that. So that is, we continue to rotate from the beginning. Probably my explanation is not enough. Also, of course, to rebuild the organisation took a bit of time, so that was his worry, I think. But now we have sufficient organisation and talent.”
Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have yet to finish either of the opening two Grands Prix this season because of reliability issues. In China, Alonso retired after experiencing severe vibrations that he said “lost the feeling” in his hands and feet. Watanabe noted the discrepancy between dyno testing and on-track behaviour: “The test on the dyno, the vibration is acceptable level, but once we integrate in the actual chassis that vibration is getting much more than the test on the dyno. Of course only PU cannot solve the problem, only the PU, so we are really closely together with Aston Martin Aramco to solve the problem, not only the power unit but also together with the chassis.”
On performance, Honda are currently battling newcomers Cadillac towards the back of the grid and are over 2.5 seconds off the front-running pace. Under the 2026 regulations, three periods of Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) during the season allow engine manufacturers that are significantly behind the best-performing internal combustion engine to develop upgrades. Teams at least two per cent behind the benchmark are awarded development opportunities; if the gap is four per cent, they may make two in-season upgrades. The first ADUO is scheduled after the sixth round in Monaco in June, though the timing could change following the cancellations of April’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
Watanabe emphasised the close working relationship between Honda and Aston Martin Aramco: “Aston Martin Aramco and Honda is not only just F1 constructor and power manufacturer, but also, we are working closely as one team. Actually, in our facility in Japan, the engineers from Aston Martin Aramco are really working hard closely with our engineers in Sakura, working together. It’s most important that we can keep moving forward step by step.” He added that Honda and Aston Martin have a recovery plan but would not disclose details.
Separately, Jonathan Wheatley unexpectedly left Audi last week as team principal after less than a year following Audi’s takeover of Sauber. Audi cited “personal reasons” for his departure, and Sky Sports News understands Aston Martin have expressed interest in Wheatley as a potential replacement for Newey as team principal. That move would let Newey concentrate on car development in his role as managing technical partner. Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa stressed confidence in the current setup, saying the team “must believe in our structure.” Newey remains the team principal and managing technical partner, and Aston Martin say that position will not change.