Honda reveals why Aston Martin project is faltering amid recovery challenge

The Japanese motorsports chief, who spoke in a recent interview, outlined several peculiarities that have played a factor in the power unit struggles Aston Martin has largely experienced through the 2026 campaign. Speaking via F1.com, the 62-year-old noted how the situation at hand is largely different from the successful partnership it had experienced with Red Bull Racing, noting how tricky the current regulations have proven to be.

"It is important to recognise that the current situation is fundamentally different from the time we worked together with Red Bull," Watanabe explained. "The regulation is quite difficult, it is a new partnership with Aston Martin, the fuel is Aramco – a new partner – and the lubricant is Valvoline, [which is also] new. So everything [is] new for us and it's not easy."

The Honda Racing president went on to explain how the company's decision to withdraw from Formula 1 at the end of 2021 before committing to a return 18 months later with Aston Martin also left it at a disadvantage compared to rival power unit manufacturers.

"The recovery from the delay caused by our previous withdrawal has taken time," he said. "So the late start of development, as well as the time required to rebuild necessary capacities and capabilities and bring back the required talent, have been significant factors."

While being candid about the reasons behind the woes Honda has experienced with Aston Martin, Watanabe was left with little optimism about there being a sudden swing in performance, despite noting the team would enter the summer races with updates to the power unit package to strengthen its internal combustion engine.

"It will not dramatically change the situation overnight, so our approach is unchanged and we will continue to work with a long-term perspective," Watanabe stressed.

The motorsports chief continued by noting how the team continues to take its approach step by step, before adding that it could take a little while to catch up with its rivals.

Watanabe, however, concluded by noting how the partnership with Aston Martin remains strong, with Chairman Lawrence Stroll firmly believing the outfit can turn around the current issues it is experiencing with its power unit.

"He strongly believes in Honda's capability. Of course, he's not satisfied, and I'm not satisfied with the current situation, but we discuss often how we can recover from the current situation, including the PU performance, the chassis performance, team operations and everything required to return to the position where we want to be," he concluded.

The Aston Martin outfit currently sits 10th in the Constructors' Championship standings after securing a solitary point with Fernando Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix. Last time out in Barcelona, both Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll were forced into early retirement, with varying issues plaguing them at different stages of the race.