Honda ready to collaborate with Fernando Alonso

Between Fernando Alonso and Honda, we cannot say that it is true love. Nobody has forgotten the Spaniard's famous outburst on the radio to compare the power of the Japanese engine to that of a GP2, at the time when he was racing for McLaren. An outrage all the more significant as it took place on the engine manufacturer's land, during the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.

The future return of Honda, which formalized its arrival withAston Martin for 2026, inevitably raised questions around a new collaboration between the Japanese firm and the double world champion of F1. Despite being 41 years old, the former pilot Alpine showed that he was still green by signing four podiums in five weekends this season and above all signed a contract for several years with the Silverstone team.

« Selection of racing drivers is entirely up to the team and not an engine supplier, recalled Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, during the press conference on the sidelines of the Honda/Aston Martin announcement. If the team decides to still have Alonso as driver, we will have no objection. »

Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of the Aston Martin Performance Technologies group, also added that the presence of Fernando Alonso in the team had in no way been a hindrance in the negotiations with Honda.

« It is clear that Fernando is doing an excellent job. I'm excited to have him on our team, as he makes a great contribution both on and off the track, did he declare. I spoke to him some time ago about the direction we wanted to take (…) I think he understands and respects what Honda is doing. »

Whitmarsh concluded by adding that the engine manufacturer had won the F1 world championships in 2021 and 2022. Of course, Alonso's presence in 2026, the year in which he will celebrate his 45th birthday, is not yet certain. 

« We will have a discussion before 2026, I'm sure, about Fernando's future, explains Whitmarsh. I hope he will be there for a number of years and it would also be great if he is as competitive and fit as he is today. »

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