Honda and Aston Martin have entered into a partnership that will come into effect in 2026, with ambitious goals set by Watanabe for their first year together. They aim to make a strong push for the title in Formula 1.
Despite a tough start in the turbo-hybrid era when they returned to F1 with McLaren in 2015, Honda made a remarkable comeback. Since 2021, they have enjoyed success with Red Bull, including two consecutive titles in 2022, and are currently fighting for a third.
Looking ahead to 2026, Watanabe provided some insights into Honda’s preparations for their new power unit. This unit will feature a 50/50 ratio between internal combustion and electric power, with a special focus on improving the capabilities of the electric motor.
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Watanabe stated: “Our main focus at the moment is on the electric motor components and the battery. While we are also developing the internal combustion engine, it is still a single cylinder, not yet a V6.”
He expressed confidence in the progress they have made so far, stating that everything is on track and in line with their expectations. However, he could not provide specific details at this stage.
Honda withdrew from F1 at the end of 2021, but later decided to return as a power unit supplier for Red Bull and VCARB. They have also registered as a power unit supplier starting from 2026. However, their initial exit from the sport resulted in many F1 professionals moving to other projects. As a result, Honda had to hire new employees in preparation for 2026.
Watanabe explained the challenges they faced, saying: “When we announced our decision to end our activities in F1, most of the engineers left the F1 department. We had to fill these positions again, although not all with the same people. It took some time to find suitable replacements for certain roles.”
With Aston Martin becoming their official partner from 2026, Honda decided to establish a company in the UK to better serve the needs of their partner. The company, known as HRC UK, has already been registered, although the exact location is still being determined.
Watanabe revealed that the purpose of registering the company is to facilitate hiring employees in the UK. He mentioned that the process may take some time due to contractual obligations, but they plan to start hiring employees in England during the summer.
