Japanese manufacturer Honda will launch a full-scale return to Formula 1 in 2026 as factory power unit supplier to Aston Martin. Honda left F1 at the end of 2021, after a seven-year stint in the sport that culminated in a World Drivers’ Championship victory thanks to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
They continued their relationship with Red Bull via a power unit support deal, which will run until the end of 2025, and won both championships in 2022.
When F1 unveiled its new engine regulations for 2026, Honda was won over by the requirement to use 100% sustainable fuels and a greater emphasis on electric power, as it offered synergies with F1’s goals. automobile company.
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But with Red Bull pursuing its own path with an in-house power unit division, aided by its new partner, US auto giant Ford, Honda had to look elsewhere – and signed a deal with Aston Martin, who wanted to find a factory partner. develop a bespoke engine for the team.
Mercedes, a partner of the Silverstone-based team since 2009, will continue to supply Aston Martin with the engines, as well as the gearbox and rear suspension, until the end of 2025.
Honda partners with Aston Martin
“One of the main reasons for our decision to take on the new challenge in F1 is that the most prestigious form of racing in the world is striving to become a sustainable racing series, which is in line with the direction Honda is aiming towards. carbon neutrality, and it will become a platform that will facilitate the development of our electrification technologies,” said Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe.
“Honda is a company that has always grown by taking on challenges and winning world-class races. With the new 2026 regulations, the key to winning will be a compact, lightweight and powerful electric motor with a high-performance battery capable of handling a high and fast power output, as well as power management technology.
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“We believe that the technologies and know-how acquired through this new challenge can potentially be applied directly to our future mass-production electric vehicles, such as an electric flagship sports model, and electrification technologies in various fields, including including eVTOL which is currently under research and development.
“Honda and our new partner, the Aston Martin F1 Team, share the same sincere attitude and determination to win, so from the 2026 season we will work together and strive for the championship title as than Aston Martin Aramco Honda.
“Honda has the utmost respect for the FIA, which has taken the bold step of introducing these demanding new regulations to ensure the sustainability of racing activities and the global environment, and for the Formula 1 Group, which strengthened the brand value of F1 and ensured the evolution of F1 as the most prestigious motor race in the world.
Aston Martin F1 team owner Lawrence Stroll has described Honda as a world titan
Lawrence Stroll, Owner of Aston Martin, said: “We share unwavering drive, determination and ambition to succeed on the right path. Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is long-standing and incredibly impressive.
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation – the racing division of Honda which will lead the project – added: “In the midst of major changes in our business and in the motorsport environment leading to the transition to a carbon neutral society , we have established HRC as an optimal platform to support and evolve motorsport activities as a strength of Honda. We will establish sustainable operational structures for our racing activities and continue to deliver more dreams and excitement to motorsport fans around the world.
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Aston Martin Performance Technologies Group CEO Martin Whitmarsh added: “The new 2026 F1 powertrain regulations are a huge and significant change, but we are confident that we can navigate successfully together. Together with our strategic partner Aramco, we can expect open collaboration towards a common goal.
“Our future works partnership with Honda is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw falling into place for Aston Martin’s ambitious plans in Formula 1. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to our current powertrain supplier with whom we We will continue to partner for the next few seasons.”
Watanabe also said Honda – which will be entering its fifth spell in F1 – has no plans to supply power units to “any other party” other than Aston Martin from 2026.
Latest News: Aston Martin will switch to Honda power from 2026