Honda fixes major Aston Martin power‑unit vibration during F1 break

A five‑week hiatus in the Formula 1 calendar, caused by the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix, gave Honda’s trackside chief engineer Shintaro Orihara time to address a severe vibration problem in Aston Martin’s AMR26 hybrid power unit. The vibration, linked to the battery pack, had put drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll at risk of permanent nerve damage and had relegated the team from a midfield contender to a backmarker.

Using the break, Honda moved the Aston Martin car to its Sakura facility in Japan, where engineers bench‑tested the power unit and gathered data that confirmed a marked reduction in vibration levels. The team applied the findings to develop a counter‑measure ahead of the Miami Grand Prix and stated that further upgrades to the AMR26 are planned. Honda continues to work with Aston Martin under the FIA’s ADUO scheme.

The successful mitigation allowed Alonso to finish the Suzuka race, providing the only point for the team at Monaco and offering a glimpse of restored competitiveness.