Honda 'does not rule out' supplying engine to teams other than Aston Martin after 2026

For Honda as for all the teams/engine manufacturers on the grid F1, 2026 will be a big upheaval. With the introduction of the new technical regulations, which affect the engine, chassis and aerodynamics, everyone must start from scratch, or almost, in the design of their future car. For the Japanese engine manufacturer, the challenge is even greater since after eight years of collaboration with the family Red Bull – first with Toro Rosso in 2018 and then with Red Bull from 2019 – Honda will supply a new manufacturer: Aston Martin.

An unprecedented and highly anticipated association, given the high ambitions of the British team. With its brand new factory and renowned engineers – Adrian Newey at the head – Lawrence Stroll is aiming for nothing less than the world title, starting in 2026! For Honda, which is coming off a highly successful partnership with Red Bull (four drivers' titles since 2021, two constructors' titles in 2022 and 2023), the pressure is on, especially since the Japanese clan will give itself maximum time to develop its new 2026 engine... even if it has to undergo its approval in February 2026, as late as possible!

And beyond 2026? For the moment, Honda is not thinking about the future. Nevertheless, the desire to expand on the grid is real according to Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). The Japanese leader is not closing the door to future associations with other manufacturers than Aston Martin after 2026. "We are a racing company, so if there is an opportunity to supply our power unit to other teams, we will take it. We do not exclude anything, Koji Watanabe confides. For now, however, our main focus is on establishing a good working relationship with our factory partner, Aston Martin. At the moment, we have no plans to expand and supply to other teams and we are not there yet.

Honda 100% focused on Aston Martin

After abruptly leaving Formula 1 at the end of 2008, in the midst of the economic crisis, Honda returned to the premier class in 2015, with McLaren. The iconic partnership between the two parties had nevertheless turned sour, with catastrophic results between 2015 and 2017. Honda then moved to Red Bull, with the success it is known for, the result of massive investments and a healthier collaboration between the manufacturer and the engine manufacturer. In order to repeat the success it had with Red Bull, Honda will focus 100% on Aston Martin... before thinking about other possibilities.

"For now, my only request to [Tetsushi] Kakuda (Honda F1 project manager, Ed.) is to make sure that we can win with Aston Martin, assures Koji Watanabe. We are still supplying power units to several teams at the moment (Red Bull and Racing Bulls), but once things have stabilised and it is feasible, we will have to consider expansion. That said, it is not an active consideration for us at the moment. Kakuda himself has asked us to let him focus on the current project." There is no doubt that if the 2026 “Made by Honda” engine proves to be a success, several customer teams will have certain covetousness towards the Japanese block…

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