Honda chief furious over Aston Martin fiasco as daily Adrian Newey meetings revealed

Change your timezone:
Honda chief furious over Aston Martin fiasco as daily Adrian Newey meetings revealed
Aston Martin and Honda's new partnership has got off to an awful start
Honda boss Koji Watanabe is frustrated with the current state at both Aston Martin and Honda.
In recent weeks, critics have focused on the Japanese power unit for allegedly not delivering enough performance. However, Watanabe insists that the real priority now is uniting the team.
Aston Martin was forced to use the Australian race weekend as a test session. Team principal Adrian Newey even revealed that a November visit to the Japanese engine manufacturer left them surprised—especially after nearly 70 per cent of the crew from the Red Bull Racing glory days had already moved on.
Meanwhile, much of the team's effort seems dedicated to keeping the AMR26 error-free, even as the power unit remains the headline.
F1 HEADLINES: Mercedes could 'block' Horner return, Verstappen rages
Aston Martin's miserable Australian Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso was among those who voiced his criticism. During the Australian race weekend, he was called in early to conserve parts and eventually sent back out, only to retire shortly after. In contrast, Lance Stroll managed to finish, albeit 15 laps down.
Honda chief frustrated by Aston Martin situation
Speaking to Japan’s AS-web, Watanabe made it clear that the current approach is unsustainable.
“This cannot continue,” he said. “We have increased our workforce and must accelerate our development.”
He added that the challenges extend beyond just the power unit, saying: “It’s not solely about boosting engine performance.
“We need to work together as one team. I speak with Newey every day, and I also connect with [Lawrence] Stroll on Fridays and Saturdays.”
READ MORE: Honda issue strong statement after Aston Martin DNF at F1 Australian Grand Prix
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Aston Martin
Aston Martin F1 time boost from new Honda upgrade revealed
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton making life 'more difficult for himself' at Ferrari, claims F1 insider
F1 News & Gossip
Max Verstappen F1 future takes new twist as Red Bull ‘offer new multi-million pay rise’
FIA News
FIA confirm double race cancellation as F1 season finale doubts remain

Change your timezone:
Latest News
Max Verstappen 'beyond despair' at Red Bull after Hungarian Grand Prix frustration
- 13 minutes ago
Aston Martin F1 time boost from new Honda upgrade revealed
- 1 hour ago
Lewis Hamilton making life 'more difficult for himself' at Ferrari, claims F1 insider
- 2 hours ago
Max Verstappen F1 future takes new twist as Red Bull ‘offer new multi-million pay rise’
- 3 hours ago
F1 insider predicts Fernando Alonso will RETIRE at the end of the season
- Today 17:32
Williams F1 team boss releases statement
- Today 16:45
Most read
F1 News Today: FIA boss issues Horner statement as Newey returns to Red Bull
- 10 july
Max Verstappen signs for McLaren and four other F1 silly season moves
- 9 july
Max Verstappen signs deal with McLaren - but there’s a twist
- 16 july
Red Bull make decision on $3bn sale of F1 team
- 21 july
FIA announce Lewis Hamilton penalty verdict at Belgian Grand Prix
- 17 july
Aston Martin F1 owner Lawrence Stroll sends message to team after breakthrough weekend
- 26 july
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Franco Colapinto
- Pierre Gasly
- Isack Hadjar
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Carlos Sainz
- Kimi Antonelli
- George Russell
- Oliver Bearman
- Esteban Ocon
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Liam Lawson
- Arvid Lindblad
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Valtteri Bottas
- Sergio Pérez
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page
Realtimes Network
- Authors
- Privacy and Terms
- RSS
- Contact
- Advertise
- Android
- iOS
- Publishing principles
- Corrections policy
- Ownership & funding
- F1 Tickets
- Privacy
Copyright (©) 2017 - 2026 GPFans.com
Realtimes Network












