Jun.15 (GMM) Honda has clarified reports that one of its senior engineers drove an Aston Martin Formula 1 car in Japan to help solve the team’s vibration problems.
Following reporting of comments made by Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe, a Honda F1 spokesperson clarified that the original Japanese remarks had been mistranslated.
“The engineer sat in the car, he did not drive it,” the spokesperson said.
The clarification relates to Honda’s efforts to resolve the severe vibration issues that plagued the Aston Martin-Honda package during the opening phase of the 2026 season.
Watanabe had explained that HRC Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer Shintaro Orihara was involved in evaluating the problem at Honda’s Sakura facility in Japan, leading to reports that he had actually driven the car.
Asked how engineers could experience the vibrations if the car was not being driven, the Honda spokesperson explained: “The car was on a test bench.”
Honda says the vibration issues have now been largely resolved following a combination of hardware and software changes introduced after the Japanese GP at Suzuka.