Honda Racing Corporation is returning to Formula One as the power unit supplier for the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Team in 2026, it was announced on Wednesday, May 24.
F1 is striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. And Honda's new partnership with Aston Martin will begin in the year in which F1 will begin implementing its new rules.
Honda explained how this transition will take place in 2026. "In pursuit of its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, starting from the 2026 season, F1 will implement new regulations with an engine/electric motor maximum power output ratio of 50/50." (Read the news release.)
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe emphasized that the company is committed to sustainability.
As a result, teaming up with Aston Martin is a good fit for the automobile manufacturer, he said.
"Honda is a company that has a history of growing by taking on challenges and winning world-class races," Mibe said. "With the new 2026 regulations, the key for winning will be a compact, lightweight, and high-power electric motor with a high-performance battery capable of handling high and swift power output, as well as the energy management technology."
History of Success in Formula One
Honda's long affiliation with F1 began in 1964. As a successful engine builder, Honda's cars won a total of six constructor championships in the 1980s and '90s. In addition, Honda-powered cars won six driver championships, the first in 1987 and the most recent (with Red Bull) in 2021.
For the ongoing 2023 F1 season, Aston Martin's drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll's cars have engines manufactured by Mercedes.
Currently, Honda supplies power units to AlphaTauri (drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Nyck de Vries and Red Bull (Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez).
Red Bull will pursue constructing its own engines starting in 2026, according to BBC Sport, with Ford on board to invest in the initiative.
Honda Preparing for Future Changes in F1
Meanwhile, looking ahead to the future, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe said his company will embrace the changes that will impact the sport.
“In the midst of major changes in our business and the motorsports environment leading toward the transition to a carbon neutral society, we have re-established HRC as an optimal platform to sustain and further evolve motorsport activities as a Honda strength," Watanabe said.
"We will establish sustainable operational structures for our racing activities and continue to deliver more dreams and excitement for motorsports fans all around the world.”
Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin's executive chairman, said his company is eager to begin its new chapter in racing.
"We share a mutual drive, determination and relentless ambition to succeed on track," Stroll said. "Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive. I would like to thank Mr Mibe and Mr Watanabe and the whole team at HRC as we embark on this exciting future together from 2026."
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Author: Ed Odeven
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