Honda has announced that it will be entering into an exclusive works relationship with Aston Martin from 2026, after its current partnership with Red Bull ends. The Japanese manufacturer initially expressed interest in producing an engine for the 2026 rules last November, without having any clarity on potential partners. However, several F1 outfits expressed their desire to join forces before the final decision on what to do was made last month. Honda’s president and CEO Toshiro Mibe said that numerous approaches were made after the company’s new engine plan was revealed, but Aston Martin quickly emerged as the best option.
Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe revealed that negotiations with Aston Martin began as early as January. He said that it was a factory visit to the team’s new £200 million Silverstone base earlier this year that convinced him that teaming up with the squad was the best option. “Through various discussions, we thought that Aston Martin had the strongest passion for winning the championship,” he explained. “They have also given us a high rating for our power unit abilities, so it’s not just that Aston Martin needs us. We really wanted to work together with Aston Martin. And that is why we chose Aston Martin.”
Aston Martin’s Attitude to Impress Honda’s Bosses
Honda’s bosses have been impressed by Aston Martin’s attitude, but the team remains realistic about the progress it needs to make over the next few years if it is to deliver on victory ambitions with Honda for 2026. Aston Martin Performance Technologies CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: “We stay humble. We know we have a lot to achieve, and a lot to learn from Honda, and to develop ourselves. But in this sport, unless you have a real passion, and desire, and a hunger and determination to win, you will not succeed. We are at the pinnacle of motorsport worldwide. It’s extremely competitive. But we have an absolute determination, Lawrence [Stroll], myself and all the other team members, we are here to win. And that’s the exciting thing.”
He added: “We see that same passion and relentless drive in Honda as well, they are winners. And that’s why we were tremendously attracted to this opportunity. So, we’ve set ourselves a target, to win in 2026, and then to win consistently thereafter. It’s a real tough battle to do that. But I think we are very determined to be very competitive.”
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