Honda is pleased to announce its renewed partnership with Fernando Alonso in Formula 1. Alonso has signed a new contract with Aston Martin, ensuring that he will continue racing with the team from the 2026 season onwards. This agreement aligns perfectly with Honda’s transition to become a supplier for Aston Martin. Despite their previous challenges, Honda and Alonso have put their differences aside and are looking forward to a successful future together. Honda’s powerful engines have already contributed to Red Bull’s success, and now they aim to achieve even more victories with Alonso and Aston Martin.
The extension of Alonso’s contract undoubtedly raised questions about the Spaniard’s history with Honda, but he stated that reuniting with the brand is “a true joy.”
“One of the reasons I chose to stay at Aston is because they will be partners with Honda until 2026,” he said.
“They have been world champions in recent years [with Red Bull]. So, I believe they already have a solid foundation for 2026.”
The positive sentiment is mutual, as Watanabe mentioned that Alonso’s skill has always made him a top choice for Honda’s driver lineup in 2026.
“We had numerous discussions with Aston Martin about our partnership from 2026 onwards,” Watanabe stated.
“During this period, we also exchanged ideas about drivers and both Aston Martin and us agreed that Alonso is undeniably a top-tier driver.
“Aston Martin inquired if there would be any objection from Honda if they extended Alonso’s contract. The issue was discussed at various stages.
“However, Honda did not make any demands in that regard. Nevertheless, it is natural for us to discuss the driver lineup necessary for victory, and it was within that context that the team decided to extend Alonso’s contract.”
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