Quake aftermath could hamper Honda

Although HRC's main facility was undamaged in last week's natural disaster and its staff escaped injury, Nakamoto said working conditions were tough.

"For sure the situation is very difficult in Japan, and our thoughts are with all the people directly involved," he said.

"As HRC, we have been lucky with no big problems, even if now it is difficult to work at our head office - we can work only five hours per day due to the power restrictions put in place.

"Also access to the office is very difficult - the main train cannot reach Asakadai station - the closest to our office, and it is very complicated to reach work with only 50 per cent of trains operating. Because of this situation many people try to come by car, but now the traffic is incredibly heavy and is taking up to three hours to reach HRC, instead of only one and it's hard to get petrol as petrol stations are closed."

He said that the most likely repercussion for Honda was a shortage of spares.

"Another problem is related to our suppliers," Nakamoto explained. "Many of them cannot work at the moment, and this is a potential problem for the racing activities in the coming weeks.

"So far we have all spare parts we need for Qatar and Jerez races, but after that, if the situation will not change, we will have to manage this carefully.

"Anyway, everybody in Japan is trying their best to fix the situation and we hope all together we will solve all problem as soon as possible."

Nakamoto added that HRC fully backed the decision to reschedule the Japanese Grand Prix for October.

"This was definitely the correct decision," he said. "Motegi has some circuit and grandstand damage. It will take some weeks to repair everything but I believe Motegi circuit will do a good job soon."