(Motorsport-Total.com) – Honda has provided further details on why they had to prematurely end the Formula 1 test sessions in Bahrain with Aston Martin after “dangerous” vibration problems were discovered. Aston Martin completed the fewest laps of all teams during the test, as they faced daily problems with the power unit.
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The negative highlight was last Friday, when a reduced program was announced and they packed up after just six laps. Speaking to Japanese media, the manufacturer now explained that excessive vibrations from the V6 internal combustion engines massively damaged the battery system.
“The abnormal vibrations observed during the tests caused damage to the battery system, which was the main reason for the cancellation,” says Ikuo Takeishi, head of Honda’s racing program HRC, about Fernando Alonso’s shortened fifth test day in Bahrain.
“We stopped the car because we felt it should not continue in that condition. It wasn’t that an accident was imminent, but we stopped the car because it was dangerous,” he admits.
“The power unit side is naturally investigating the cause and working on countermeasures, while at the same time measures are being implemented on the chassis side. Specifically, we are currently using the Sakura battery on a test bench with the monocoque mounted and are actively carrying out several countermeasures as well as vibration analyses.”
Takeishi says it is still too early to say whether there is an actual problem with the battery design itself. However, as he believes the cause of the crippling vibrations does not lie with a single part, Honda is concerned that there is no guarantee of a simple solution.
“The vibrations damaged the battery, so we cannot say whether the battery itself is the problem,” he says.
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“You can imagine it as the battery pack being shaken inside the bodywork. Basically, the area where the battery pack is attached vibrates. If this had remained within expectations, we would have made further adjustments. As of now, I suspect we have encountered a rather challenging situation.”
“If the cause were clearly attributable to the gearbox or the engine, for example, it would be much easier to manage,” says Takeishi. “However, I suspect that several components are interacting and thus creating the vibrations. Therefore, it is unclear whether fixing one part alone will solve the problem. We cannot rule out that this will drag on. Nevertheless, I am firmly determined to fix it quickly.”
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This means that Aston Martin and Honda will likely still be significantly affected in the early stages of the 2026 season: “I aim to reduce the vibrations before the season opener, but I intend to bring the car into a competitive state before Suzuka,” says Takeishi.
There is some confidence that the power unit will be in a much better state once the vibration problem is under control, but Takeishi acknowledges that Honda is currently not in a position to “actively talk about performance.”
Honda emphasizes cooperation
However, HRC President Koji Watanabe explains that the Japanese manufacturer and Aston Martin would work together calmly to overcome the difficult start.
“The recent pre-season tests in Barcelona and Bahrain were, frankly, extremely challenging for us,” says Watanabe. “We were not able to achieve the performance level we expected, and a complex series of problems became apparent. However, these tests were also a crucial process as they allowed us to visualize these challenges.”
“There may be various problems on both sides, but we are aiming for a long-term partnership. At this point, I believe we are united in our desire to solve things as one team,” he continues.
“I have had very positive phone calls with Chairman Lawrence Stroll and Adrian Newey about how the situation can be resolved. With the season opener approaching, it goes without saying that we will do our best to ensure we are ready for the race in Australia.”
“Of course, the drivers are understandably frustrated during the tests, but we can only change that through performance.”
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