Honda confirms partnership with Aston Martin from F1 2026 onward moving away from Red Bull, with the latter moving away from Mercedes.
After speculation around Honda potentially partnering with Aston Martin in the future, the Japanese manufacturer have finally confirmed the news early on Wednesday. This follows the confirmation from them to remain as power unit suppliers in F1.
Having pulled out after 2021, Honda remained on board as an outside support to Red Bull. The team is to eventually move to Ford under Red Bull Powertrains leaving Honda with no F1 outfit to enter the championship which is where Aston Martin fits in.
Even though the British car maker have a connection with Daimler Group and Mercedes, they are moving away from the German manufacturer to be their own works team with Honda from F1 2026 onward to fulfill the championship ambitions of Lawrence Stroll.
The Canadian flew down to Japan for a special press brief on Wednesday to announce the partnership in the presence of Honda President Toshihiro Mibe. The press briefing was also attended by Martin Whitmarsh and Koji Watanabe.
“One of the key reasons for our decision to take up the new challenge in F1 is that the world’s pinnacle form of racing is striving to become a sustainable racing series, which is in line with the direction Honda is aiming toward carbon neutrality, and it will become a platform which will facilitate the development of our electrification technologies,” said Mibe.
“Honda is a company that has a history of growing by taking on challenges and winning world-class races. 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.
“We believe that the technologies and know-how gained from this new challenge can potentially be applied directly to our future mass production electric vehicles, such as an electric flagship sports model, and electrification technologies in various areas, including eVTOL which is currently under research and development.
“Honda and our new partner, the Aston Martin F1 Team, share the same sincere attitude and determination to win, so starting with the 2026 season, we will work together and strive for the Championship title as Aston Martin Aramco Honda. Honda has the utmost respect for the FIA, which made a bold decision to introduce these new and challenging regulations to ensure the sustainability of both racing activities and the global environment, and for the Formula One Group, which has been enhancing the brand value of F1 and ensuring F1’s evolvement as the most prestigious automobile racing in the world.”
Watanbe, meanwhile, stated: “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. 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.”
From Aston Martin’s side, Stroll noted: “I would like to welcome Honda and HRC to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team. We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on track. 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.”
And finally, Whitmarsh added: “I have been fortunate in my career to work with Honda over the years and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with HRC and the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team from 2026. The new 2026 F1 power unit regulations are a huge and important change but one which we are confident we can navigate successfully together.
“Jointly with our strategic partner Aramco, we can look forward to open collaboration towards a common goal. Our future works partnership with Honda is one of the last parts of the jigsaw puzzle slotting into place for Aston Martin’s ambitious plans in Formula One. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to our current power unit supplier who we will continue to partner with for the next few seasons.”
Here’s news on Honda with Aston Martin
Here’s F1 teams on Concorde Agreement
Here’s Fernando Alonso on 2023’s focus
Here’s F1 bosses on new teams joining
Here’s Fernando Alonso on wanting more
