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Ahead of the first F1 race in 2026, Honda has confirmed its new power unit has an inherent flaw that will take time to be addressed.
Ahead of the first Formula 1 race in 2026, Honda has confirmed a flaw in its new power unit that will require time to address.
Honda faced challenges during pre-season in Bahrain, accumulating significantly less mileage than its competitors, notably Mercedes.
The Japanese manufacturer cited extreme vibrations as the primary issue affecting the power unit, leading to damage in the battery system.
Honda is actively working on resolving these technical problems at its Sakura base, with a focus on mitigating the vibrations and implementing necessary measures.
Despite the setbacks, Honda’s goal is to address the vibration issue before the season opener, ultimately aiming for a competitive performance by the Suzuka race.
Both Ikuo Takeishi and HRC President Koji Watanabe underscore the determination to overcome these challenges and establish a successful partnership with Aston Martin in the long term.






