The team completed the fewest laps of any outfit across the two weeks and was forced to end its final day early after managing only six laps. In total, Aston Martin recorded just 329 laps in Bahrain, having already been restricted to 65 laps at a delayed shakedown in Barcelona. The lack of mileage has left the team short of preparation as the opening round in Australia approaches.

According to Honda managing director Ikuo Takeishi, the trouble first appeared in the form of unusual vibrations within the power unit. “During the pre-season tests, we noticed some abnormal vibrations,” he, quoted by Motorsport.com, explained. Those vibrations then triggered further complications. “I think the main cause of the problem was that these abnormal vibrations caused damage to the battery system,” he said. As a consequence, Aston Martin was unable to complete its planned programme, losing valuable track time that is crucial at this stage of the year.

Takeishi stressed the scale of the concern inside Honda. “We believe the results of the pre-season tests are extremely serious and severe,” he admitted. He clarified that the issue is not simply a minor defect but something that directly affects reliability. “Vibrations are causing problems with the battery, and not necessarily damage to the battery itself.”

In response, Honda has begun detailed investigations on both the power unit and car side. Engineers at its Sakura base are using a dedicated test bench with a monocoque installed to analyse the vibration patterns and develop countermeasures. “We are currently in the process of implementing countermeasures,” Takeishi confirmed.

Honda returned to Formula 1 this season after previously stepping away at the end of 2021, when it won the drivers’ title with Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. While the current situation is far from those championship highs, the company insists its ambitions remain unchanged. The immediate priority is to suppress the vibrations enough to ensure reliability for the opening race and also for its home event at Suzuka Circuit.