Honda ‘worried’ about reliability

Honda admit they are still “worried” about reliability heading into the Australian Grand Prix despite work carried out in the wake of pre-season testing.

McLaren-Honda’s pre-season was blighted by reliability troubles, which were put down to the engine vibrating.

According to reports the Honda power unit was literally shaking itself into a breakdown.

Honda worked on the issue in the build-up to the season-opening Australian GP but F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa fears the problem may still appear.

“On the last two days of the second week [of testing], trouble was caused by the vibration of the car,” he said.

“It was not only a problem with the engine itself, although the thing vibrating the most was the engine.

“The trouble caused cracks in a carbon pipe on the side of the car – with the harness getting detached.

“However, I don’t know if these problems will not occur again if the engine vibrations stop. I am worried.

“It is also certain that the cars rode over the kerbs [at Barcelona] and this caused some vibration.

“If we have such a weakness in the side of the car, then it is worrying.”