Honda, a major player in the Formula 1 arena, is gearing up to make its voice heard loud and clear regarding Aston Martin’s future driver lineup in the upcoming 2026 season. The President of Honda, Koji Watanabe, has revealed that the company will not hesitate to express its opinions on the drivers that Aston Martin chooses to field.
As the partnership between Honda and Red Bull comes to a close at the end of the current season, with Honda set to supply engines to Aston Martin from 2026, the Japanese manufacturer is eyeing a say in the driver selection process. Despite Yuki Tsunoda’s successful stint with Red Bull, Honda remains keen on influencing Aston Martin’s driver choices.
Watanabe emphasized that Honda’s input will be significant, even though Aston Martin’s current drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, are under contract for the next season. He stated, “The number of seats will be reduced. However, as for us, we will continue to voice our opinions as Honda in deciding the drivers for 2026 and beyond.”
The announcement comes amidst Honda’s pride in the achievements with Red Bull, particularly as Max Verstappen competes for his fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship using a Honda engine. Reflecting on the successful partnership, Watanabe expressed, “Looking back now, we’re very proud of the results that we have achieved with this partnership.”
With Honda set to join forces with Aston Martin in the near future, the Formula 1 landscape is bound to witness some exciting developments and power shifts. Stay tuned as Honda makes its mark on the sport, both on and off the track.
