Honda has not finished improving its Formula 1 engine, and that continues to cloud the atmosphere within Aston Martin. After the latest race, Fernando Alonso again pointed directly at Honda’s power unit as the main cause of the problems, and a recent study even backs his claim.
But from Honda, the veiled criticisms from Aston Martin are starting to be perceived as a hostile environment. So much so that the head of HRC, Koji Watanabe, has had to step forward not only to defend Honda, but to point out that the Aston Martin chassis is far from perfect, even though data begin to cast doubt on it.
Watanabe points straight at Adrian Newey’s chassis
The Honda engine has been plagued by problems since the Formula 1 season began, but initially the chassis was at least on par. The problem is that in recent races there are studies saying that Fernando Alonso would already be taking poles if it weren’t for the engine deficit. Aston Martin has improved; Honda, not.
Fernando Alonso verbalized where the deficits lay: “the drivability and the turbo.” An atmosphere that Honda does not fully embrace. Koji Watanabe stepped in to assure that “the Aston Martin chassis is not perfect either, as is the power unit. Neither is it. It’s not just power missing in the engine.”
Watanabe commits to “continuously improving them”, asserting that “we keep very open conversations about how to enhance the competitiveness of the power unit and the chassis as a single car, in which aspects we lag behind, what the challenges are and what measures are needed to solve them”.
The message from Watanabe is clear: it is not solely Honda’s fault that Aston Martin is having a terribly challenging year. The Japanese official even issues a clear warning: “The chassis and the power unit are built by different companies. In that context, I believe it is crucial to advance development by collaborating at a higher level.”
Honda introduced its second ADUO upgrades of the season in Madrid, but the change is hard to spot at a glance. Power remains the same, and one could argue handling has perhaps worsened. Meanwhile, rumors are growing that Lawrence Stroll is growing tired and could be exploring an alternative.
From Japan, Watanabe continues to speak of “strengthening the relationship” as the only solution. But a team backed by Aston Martin’s investment has little time to spare.
Images | Honda, Aston Martin
