Honda boss makes admission after Aston Martin breakthrough in Japan

Speaking after the Japanese Grand Prix, Watanabe admitted he had never hoped so strongly for a car to simply reach the finish line, as he desired for the AMR26.

"I've never wished so hard for a car to finish a race. I'm so relieved. I'm so relieved. I've never wished so hard to finish a race,” Watanabe told Motorsports Japan.

The Honda chief also highlighted the role of Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer, Mike Krack, who set a clear objective for the team at Suzuka, and acknowledged contributions from key figures, including Fernando Alonso.

Watanabe praised the combined efforts of both teams, describing the race finish as a significant step forward and expressing gratitude to the Aston Martin staff.

"But everyone worked hard towards a single goal. It was just to finish the race. But I think this was a big step for us. I'm truly grateful to the Aston Martin and Honda staff who worked so hard on site, and I'm really glad. I think it will be an encouragement for them as well. I want to use this as a stepping stone to move forward to the next stage,” he concluded.

The Aston Martin team’s partnership with Honda got off to a difficult start in 2026. The Japanese GP marked the first race the Aston Martin team has completed during the 2026 campaign so far.

Earlier, Lance Stroll flagged what he considers the most painful aspect of driving the AMR26 car.

The Canadian noted that the lack of competitiveness of the machinery has proven to be the most challenging aspect for the team. However, Stroll also highlighted the optimistic mood within the team to turn around its fortunes.

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