Mar 06, 2026
3 min read
In Melbourne, there is a scenario that was unimaginable before the tests, given the extent of the problems faced by the Honda power unit.
Aston Martin disaster: Newey defends Honda chassis over vibration problem
Published March 5, 2026, 2:33 p.m.
We have not been clearly attacked by the radio team, with Alonso defining the Honda power unit as a GP2 engine, but the overall picture described by Newey of Australia is perhaps more worrying. At least McLaren can turn things around. AMR26, No.
Honda is responsible, the vibration transmitted to the chassis makes it impossible for drivers to complete more than 25 laps in a row.This is what the Aston Martin Honda Australian GP will be like.That is to say, a pharaonic investment which reaps as its first fruit (and only so far) a terrible image.
The first correction to try
"Unfortunately, Koji and I had a problem that we could not discuss before this meeting. But we have to limit the number of laps we can do in the race until we find the cause of these vibrations and fix them," said Newey in Melbourne in front of Kochi media. Watanabe is the head of HRC.The Australian GP has 58 laps. Ergo: Aston Martin will not finish the race, it remains to be seen if it will start, how many laps it will complete and in what conditions it will appear on the field on Friday.
The worrying detail is that the search for the root of the problem is still ongoing, and with the Chinese Grand Prix expected next week, the conditions in Shanghai may be the same as those seen in Australia.
"Based on extensive bench testing, starting this week we will introduce countermeasures that we believe are the most effective solutions at this stage," Watanabe said."However, we still cannot fully guarantee their effectiveness in actual track conditions, so certain conditions will be applied to the operation of the power unit this week. We are working together as a single team and are already evaluating additional measures, but we cannot share technical details, so we ask for your patience as we continue to work to unlock the full performance potential."
Vibration starts with PU
Everything revolves around the battery, which is damaged by vibrations and forces drivers to stop the car. Newey clearly pointed this out: "This is an important aspect to understand, the drums are the component that we focused on because it is critical." The very first interventions tested on the bench will be taken to the track, and the amplitude of the vibrations on the battery should be lower: "It is important to remember that the source of the vibrations is actually the powertrain, a combination of an internal combustion engine andpossibly an MGU as well.In this scenario, the chassis is causing eg off, tail lights, etc."
It was meant to be a one-seater that would tear apart its rivals, it's so advanced in design philosophy, but now it's closer to being ripped apart.
Hazards for pilots: Injury to hands
Nevei joined in the criticism, questioning the impossible tremors of the pilots."The main problem is that the vibration ends up being transferred to the driver's fingers. Fernando feels like he can't do more than 25 times in a row before completely damaging the nerves in his hands.
Lance thinks he can't do more than 15 laps.
In my opinion there is no reason not to be open and honest about our expectations.Until we can address the cause of the vibration and manage to improve at the source, we will be very limited on the number of laps we can run in the race."
Here in Australia, you will begin to realize that reaching the finish line is impossible.The same scenario could play out in China.On the contrary, Honda proposed the first solution to the problem last week, in time for the Japanese Grand Prix.
A solution will come, but when?
In Melbourne, Watanabe said that time is needed to recover the bad work, the first for the image of the main type, before it affects the progress of the game: "Of course, I want to hurry, but now it is difficult to say when and how long it will take."
That the task is mainly for Honda, for the sensational - in a negative way - debut for Aston Martin, is heard when interpreting Newey's words."Here in Melbourne we're maybe a bit behind the leaders, maybe we're the fifth best team in the chassis team in terms of ability. Obviously it's not where we want to be, but we have the opportunity to continue at some point in the season."There will be a motor to push the AMR26 forward.
Sign up for the newsletter
The most important news, every week, free to your email
