Honda fires back at Adrian Newey over F1 experience criticism
Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe has addressed criticism from Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey regarding Honda's lack of Formula 1 experience. The comments follow ongoing struggles with the AMR26 car, which has suffered from severe vibrations this season.
Newey's concerns came after a visit to Tokyo in November 2025, where he reportedly saw firsthand the gaps in Honda's F1 expertise. Honda initially left Formula 1 at the end of 2021 but reversed its decision in 2023, returning as Aston Martin's power unit supplier. Watanabe defended the company's approach, stating that Honda has always rotated engineers between motorsport and other advanced technology projects. He also argued that the AMR26's problems were not solely down to Honda's work on the power unit.
The late start in developing the 2026 car compared to rival teams added to the challenges. Watanabe acknowledged that many of the original Honda F1 workforce had left after the 2021 exit and did not return upon the team's comeback. However, he insisted that Honda has since rebuilt its organisation, now boasting a stronger structure and sufficient talent.
Watanabe further suggested that Aston Martin shares responsibility for the AMR26's vibrations. The issue, he claimed, stemmed from a combination of factors rather than just Honda's power unit development. Honda's response highlights the complexities behind the AMR26's difficulties. While the company admits to past setbacks, it now claims to have a more stable and capable team in place. The debate over accountability for the car's performance issues remains unresolved.
