Gary Anderson calls on FIA to step in as Honda’s Aston Martin vibration theory dismissed
Photo by Wan Mikhail Roslan/NurPhoto via Getty Images Gary Anderson has called out the FIA for what he sees as a lack of attention to Aston Martin and Honda’s ongoing vibration problems. In the lead-up to the Japanese Grand Prix, Honda and Aston Martin held a joint press conference where Honda representatives admitted there is no immediate solution in sight. The tension between the two sides has grown, especially since Aston Martin weren’t made aware of Red Bull’s similar issues with Honda last year.
Adrian Newey blaming Honda for their issues certainly didn’t help matters, as it put more strain on an already pressured relationship at a time when cooperation was needed most. Now, former F1 technical director Gary Anderson thinks all that effort might be wasted if the FIA decides to investigate Alonso’s vibration problems from Shanghai. Anderson says FIA should step in if Aston Martin vibration issues pose health risks On The Race F1 Tech podcast , Anderson spoke about the power unit problems facing Aston Martin, especially around the vibrations that have become a talking point.
He pointed out that if these vibrations are having an impact on driver health, then the FIA should step in and address it, just as they have done in similar cases before. “The pressure is on Honda, the pressure is on Aston Martin to show that they’ve made a step in some direction. But one of the things that we don’t really know is the reality of the problem.
“We hear about the vibrations and the drivers’ nervous system, shaking their hands and feet. Alonso, during the last race, having to retire because of that. If that is real, then somebody has to step in.
“When we had the porpoising with the ground effect cars, the FIA made teams put sensors on the car to monitor it. “If these levels of vibrations are enough to interfere with a driver’s health then again, like they did with porpoising. I think it needs looking into because you can’t play around with people’s health.