Honda boss Koji Watanabe claimed Adrian Newey’s comments about a lack of experience at the engine manufacturer were a “misunderstanding”.
Honda have made a full-time comeback to F1 this year having ended their previous works partnership with Red Bull at the end of 2021, although the Japanese manufacturer continued to provide technical support for a power unit that claimed further world titles and race victories with the Milton Keynes-based team until the end of last year.
Earlier this month, Newey said he was unaware of Honda’s struggles until November and that only 30 per cent of the original team that helped Verstappen win his maiden drivers’ title in 2021 returned to the fully fledged outfit that have produced the 2026 power unit for Aston Martin.
At the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday, Watanabe said: “I think that it’s a misunderstanding. 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.”
Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are yet to see the chequered flag at the opening two Grands Prix due to unreliability. At the last race in China, Alonso retired due to vibrations caused by the Honda engine which “lost the feeling” in his hands and feet.
“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,” said Watanabe.
“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.”
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Despite clear problems with the car, Alonso is confident Aston Martin will resolve their difficulties and improve
How can Honda catch up?
Currently, Honda are battling with newcomers Cadillac at the back of the grid and are over 2.5 seconds off the front-running pace.
F1’s new 2026 regulations sees three periods of Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) during the season to allow engine manufacturer to catch up.
Teams judged to be at least two per cent behind the manufacturer with the best-performing internal combustion engine are awarded development opportunities. If the gap is four per cent, then teams will be allowed to make two upgrades in-season, which could apply to Honda.
The first ADUO is due to be after the sixth round of the season in Monaco in June, although this may change following the cancellations of April’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
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Lance Stroll and Alonso react to Newey’s fears that Aston Martin’s vibration issues could cause ‘permanent nerve damage’
“Aston Martin Aramco and Honda is not only just F1 constructor and power manufacturer, but also, we are working closely as one team,” said Watanabe.
“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.”
Asked how much progress Aston Martin and Honda will make this season, Watanabe said: “We have some recovery plan together with Aston Martin, but we cannot tell that today.”
Will Wheatley join Aston Martin?
Jonathan Wheatley surprisingly left Audi as team principal last week after less than a year with the outfit, despite a decent start for Audi following their takeover of Sauber at the start of 2026.
Audi cited “personal reasons” as the cause for Wheatley’s departure and Sky Sports News understands Aston Martin are interested in signing the former Red Bull sporting director to replace Newey as team principal.
The move would enable Newey to fully focus on car matters in his other role as managing technical partner but Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa says the team “must believe in our structure”.
Jonathan Wheatley left Audi last week
He told Sky Sports F1: “We’re happy with what we have and how we have organised the team. Adrian being the team principal, but he’s more than a team principal, he’s actually a managing technical partner, so that’s going to remain the same.
“I mean, Jonathan has left. We really shouldn’t comment on things that are happening. We don’t know why he has left. We don’t know the situation.
“The only thing we know, really, is that we have a team principal, and it’s Adrian Newey, you know? And that will remain unchanged.”
Sky Sports F1’s Japanese GP schedule
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A look back at the wildest moments caught on the onboard camera at the Japanese Grand Prix
Saturday March 28
2.15am: Japanese GP Practice Three (session starts at 2.30am)*
5am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up*
6am: JAPANESE GP QUALIFYING*
8am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday March 29
4.30am: Japanese GP build-up – Grand Prix Sunday*
6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
8am: Japanese GP reaction – Chequered Flag*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 heads to the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
