Honda ‘top officials’ blame Aston Martin for vibrations after visiting Japanese Grand Prix garage

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The relationship between Honda and Aston Martin may be coming undone already, as the former blame the latter for their vibration issues.

Honda saw firsthand Aston Martin’s problems in 2026 at their home Grand Prix at Suzuka last weekend. Lance Stroll did not make it to the end of the race again after a water pressure issue, while Fernando Alonso registered the team’s first finish of the season.

The Spaniard was 18th and a lap down, with the AMR26 desperately lacking pace. The car displayed several issues throughout the Japanese Grand Prix, and Honda’s top brass are now shifting the blame onto Aston Martin.

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The Japanese manufacturer claimed that the vibrations in the AMR26 had been significantly improved. However, Alonso’s onboard footage showed Honda were wrong, as he was seen taking his hand off the steering wheel.

Aston Martin have implied that the power unit is the cause of the problem, which is proving to be a serious health concern for Alonso and Stroll. But Honda say the vibrations did not happen until the engine was put in the AMR26 and merged with the chassis.

Honda ‘top officials’ say Aston Martin have a part to play in vibration issues

Spanish journalist and pundit Antonio Lobato detailed Honda’s visit to Aston Martin’s garage at Suzuka. ‘Top officials’ blamed the Silverstone outfit for the vibrations, as they claim they were not present until the engine was placed in the car.

“But anyway, from my point of view, it’s been a bit of a tough weekend for Aston Martin and Honda, especially for Honda, because they were racing at home,” said Lobato via SoyMotor.

“All the bosses, all the Honda bosses were visiting the garage of Aston Martin, when they started last on the grid and when, well, because what you see on the track is a real disaster.

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“Then we also heard from the top Honda officials shifting the blame, don’t they? In a way also pinning the blame on Aston Martin for the problems there are, don’t they?

“And saying that the vibrations when they start the engine, when they put the power unit on the test bench at Sakura, there’s a vibration.

“But that this vibration is amplified when they put it on the chassis, as if to say, ‘Hey, you’re to blame too, aren’t you? You as well, aren’t you? You contribute to these vibrations existing.”

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The one-month break comes at the right time for Aston Martin and Honda

Honda deny rumours of a ‘deteriorating’ relationship with Aston Martin, but with both parties blaming one another for the start to 2026, they have to work out their differences, and fast.

The one-month break in the calendar after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s cancellations is a perfect opportunity to reconcile, debrief, and work on a solution for the AMR26 and the power unit.

The cost cap is not affected by the two races dropping off the schedule, which is great news for teams like Aston Martin. They can spend more money on the car per race with no punishment.