Koji Watanabe demands action: Honda and Aston Martin to overhaul AMR26 for F1 Miami GP. Honda president Koji Watanabe calls for urgent action on the AMR26’s persistent vibration issues.

After a turbulent start, Aston Martin looks to Miami for a fresh start

Following a troubled start to the season and a Japanese Grand Prix that finally allowed Aston Martin to complete its first full race distance of the year, Honda has broken its silence. Koji Watanabe, president of the Japanese manufacturer, chose the post-Suzuka moment to outline the strategy for Miami: a plan focused on addressing the vibrations that continue to undermine the competitiveness of the AMR26 at its root. This is a crucial moment for the partnership, called to react with clarity and unity after a start far below expectations.

Honda prioritizes eliminating vibrations

President Koji Watanabe expressed relief at finally seeing an Aston Martin cross the finish line at Suzuka, but made it clear that the real work is just beginning. Vibrations remain the central issue, and Honda is preparing a deeper intervention ahead of the Miami race.

“We will tackle the vibration problem at its root. For now, this is a temporary solution. We are taking provisional measures to prevent battery damage. However, we must solve the problem in collaboration with the chassis team, so we will proceed as one unified team.”

The president also clarified the immediate goals for the racing department:

“We want to improve the precision of our energy management and drivability, and achieve the best possible result as we head into the next race in Miami.”

Aston Martin seeks stability after a complicated start

Suzuka represented a small step forward: Fernando Alonso finally completed the full race distance, finishing in 18th place. A modest result, but still significant for a team that until now had not been able to see the checkered flag.

Lance Stroll, on the other hand, was forced to retire due to another technical issue, confirming that the path to competitiveness remains long and complex. The collaboration between Honda and Aston Martin will now need to accelerate, as the season waits for no one and the competition has already pulled ahead.

Japan offered a glimpse, not a solution

The Japanese Grand Prix offered a first glimpse of progress, but not a solution. Honda and Aston Martin now enter a decisive phase: eliminating vibrations, regaining reliability, and restoring a solid technical foundation to the AMR26. Miami will be the first real test to see whether the reaction has truly begun — and whether this partnership has the strength to rewrite the narrative of a complicated start to the season.