Honda say the vibration problem which have plagued Aston Martin’s car since the start of the season are not solely down to its power unit.

Aston Martin are yet to complete a grand prix distance this year due to the trouble it is having with its new power unit. When the AMR26 has not suffered terminal technical problems its drivers have been forced to retire due to the severity of the vibrations, as was the case for Fernando Alonso at the last race in China.

Ahead of its home round in Suzuka, Honda said it is still trying to identify the exact causes of the vibration problem. On Friday Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said the vibrations are arising as a result of the engine’s installation in the AMR26.

“In the test on the dyno the vibration is a an acceptable level, but once we integrate it in the actual chassis, that vibration is getting much more than it is in the test on the dyno,” Watanabe explained.

He believes changes to the power unit alone will not be enough to solve the problem. “So we are [working] really closely together with Aston Martin Aramco to solve the problem, not only the power unit but also together with the chassis.”

The changes Honda has brought for its power unit this weekend are not only targeted at addressing the vibrations. “At this moment we are focused on how we can improve the situation of the vibration, [which is] mainly [causing] damage to battery area, but also this time for Suzuka we have improved the energy management situation for more driving performance.”

Lance Stroll, who slated his car’s performance after qualifying 21st for the Chinese Grand Prix, said vibrations are not the only area the team needs to make significant gains.

“We need to improve the vibration, we need to improve the reliability, but even when we’re finishing laps we’re three seconds off, three-and-a-half seconds off the lead cars, so there are a lot of things to improve,” he said. “Even when we fix the vibration and improve the reliability, we need to find performance in the engine, more power and more downforce. So a lot of areas to work on.”

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Keith Collantine

Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 – when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing. View all posts by Keith Collantine