Honda President Reveals Aston Martin 2026 Engine Progress
Exciting news from the world of Formula 1 as Honda gears up to join forces with the Aston Martin team in 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the sport’s regulations. Koji Watanabe, the President of Honda Racing, recently shared a promising update on the development of the power unit for the upcoming collaboration with Aston Martin.
Having enjoyed a successful partnership with Red Bull, clinching two constructors’ championships and four drivers’ titles, Honda now sets its sights on powering the Silverstone-based Aston Martin squad. The decision to return to Formula 1 came after Honda initially announced its departure from the sport post the 2021 season, leading Red Bull to secure a partnership with Ford for Red Bull Powertrains in 2026. However, the allure of the revised regulations, featuring a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power, enticed Honda back into the competition.
Speaking at the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Watanabe expressed confidence in the progress of the 2026 power unit for Aston Martin, stating, “We had discontinued the project with Formula One so we were not prepared in 2015. We started from zero. Now we’re not starting from zero, so it is a smoother development.”
This partnership will also see the reunion of Honda with renowned aerodynamicist Adrian Newey at Aston Martin. Newey, who departed from his role as chief technical officer at Milton Keynes last year, joined Aston Martin as the managing technical director and shareholder. Watanabe commented on the reunion, saying, “It is an honor to work together again with Newey at Aston Martin. We will work together to create a competitive F1 car.”
The arrival of Newey at Aston Martin in March 2025 was met with great anticipation. Team principal Andy Cowell shared insights into Newey’s seamless integration into the squad, highlighting his hands-on approach and immediate involvement in the technical aspects of the car development process.
Excitement is brewing as Honda and Aston Martin gear up for their collaboration in the 2026 Formula 1 season, promising fans and enthusiasts a thrilling display of engineering prowess and competitive spirit on the racetrack. Stay tuned for more updates as these powerhouses prepare to make their mark in the world of motorsport.