# Honda HRC Chief Says Aston Martin Alliance Must Evolve After Troubled Start

**URL:** <https://intoguide.com/t/honda-hrc-chief-says-aston-martin-alliance-must-evolve-after-troubled-start/220>\
**Category:** F1 Features\
**Created:** [March 13, 2026, 10:16am UTC](https://intoguide.com/t/honda-hrc-chief-says-aston-martin-alliance-must-evolve-after-troubled-start/220 "2026-03-13T10:16:41Z")\
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**Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 10:16am UTC](https://intoguide.com/t/honda-hrc-chief-says-aston-martin-alliance-must-evolve-after-troubled-start/220/1 "2026-03-13T10:16:41Z")

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# **Honda Boss Yasuharu Watanabe Calls for Stronger Aston Martin Collaboration**

### **1. Challenging Start**

- Aston Martin and Honda had a **troubled debut** in the F1 2026 season:

- Honda identified **abnormal vibrations** during Bahrain testing.

- The team hoped modifications would mitigate the problem in Melbourne, but chassis integration issues persisted.

* * *

### **2. Management Response**

- Honda President **Toshihiro Mibe** attended the Australian GP:

- Honda Racing President **Yasuharu Watanabe** emphasized:

- 

* * *

### **3. Technical Perspective**

- Alonso noted battery vibrations are **still not fully isolated** in the chassis.

- Watanabe wants **vibration countermeasures properly implemented** before Honda’s home race at **Suzuka**.

- Collaboration with Silverstone (Aston Martin) is seen as essential for **integrated car and PU development**.

* * *

### **4. Team Structure**

- Newey claimed only **30% of the original Honda F1 engine team** remains.

- Watanabe argued Honda has **strengthened headcount** but needs to define **areas of responsibility and authority** to improve efficiency.

- Focus is not just on **power output** , but **developing the PU in unison with the car body**.

* * *

### **5. Watanabe’s Takeaways**

- **“Things cannot remain the same.”**

- Emphasized accelerating development **as a unified team**.

- The priority is ensuring the **PU is reliable and competitive** for upcoming races, particularly **Suzuka**.