Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

"You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
"You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised

Russell: Data shows software calibration behind recent F1 struggles, not driving style

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Russell: Data shows software calibration behind recent F1 struggles, not driving style

Mercedes identifies Russell's F1 power unit software issue

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Mercedes identifies Russell's F1 power unit software issue

Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade is big – but not as big as F1 insiders expected it to be

Feature
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade is big – but not as big as F1 insiders expected it to be

The Red Bull seat nobody is talking about – and why that's the biggest compliment of all

Feature
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
The Red Bull seat nobody is talking about – and why that's the biggest compliment of all

Yamaha names experienced crew chief to oversee Martin's adaptation in MotoGP

MotoGP
Yamaha names experienced crew chief to oversee Martin's adaptation in MotoGP

The humble origin story of a MotoGP powerhouse

Feature
MotoGP
The humble origin story of a MotoGP powerhouse

How much do MotoGP tyres cost and who pays for them?

MotoGP
How much do MotoGP tyres cost and who pays for them?
Formula 1 Chinese GP

Honda targets F1 title bid with Aston Martin from 2026

Honda says it is targeting an assault on Formula 1's world championship in 2026, matching its ambition to that of Aston owner Lawrence Stroll.

Filip Cleeren Ronald Vording
Published:
Lawrence Stroll, Toshihiro Sanbe,,President and CEO Honda Motor,Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation,,Martin Whitmarsh
From 2026 Honda will move its works engine deal to Aston Martin, ending its successful association with Red Bull.
Following Honda's initial decision to withdraw from F1, which led to Red Bull deciding to take its engines in-house and link up with Ford for 2026, the Japanese brand was forced to seek a new works partner when it reversed its exit decision.
After being approached by several candidates, Honda was impressed by Aston owner Stroll's ambition to put all the key elements in place for a title bid from 2026 onwards.
In an exclusive interview with Autosport, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe says that this target is shared by Honda as well.
When asked about Honda's ambitions with its new partner, Watanabe replied: "To become world champion from 2026 onwards.
"We know that it will be very difficult and it is not so easy, but we need some good targets to put in our best effort together with Aston Martin.
"So, that’s why together with Stroll and Toshihiro Mibe [Honda CEO and president], we set the target to just aim for the world championship in that year. In reality, it is not so easy."
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Offering an assessment of whether Aston Martin and Honda will have all the ingredients in place to mount a title challenge, Watanabe added: "Probably we're missing something [right now], but we have to tell each other what is missing.
"From an Aston Martin point of view what is missing on the Honda side and also what is missing on the Aston Martin side. That is an honest conversation to become a top-class team together."
Pressed further on what impressed Honda so much about Stroll's plans for Aston Martin, Watanabe pointed to the squad's state-of-the-art Silverstone facility as a key marker of just how serious the Canadian businessman was about realising his lofty goals.
"After we registered as a power unit supplier for 2026 some other teams contacted us as they were interested in working with Honda. Then we talked to those parties and made a decision," he explained.
"Honda was very impressed with Mr Stroll's strong passion and his strong leadership to fight for the world championship in 2026.
"They invest a lot of money to establish the factory in Silverstone. We visited them to see the factory that was under construction.
"Several times we have meetings with Martin Withmarsh and Mike Krack, so the management team. They are very open and the entire team is working in the same direction, it’s one united team. That is a very good image for us.

Watch: Alonso Commits to Aston Martin with Multi-Year Extension

"At the same time, they also think that Honda is a good partner for them to become world champion.
"We have already started a technical working team and also a steering committee meeting to discuss some important issues that we can maybe improve."
Last week, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso announced he would stay with the squad into its Honda era, until at least 2026, after saying he was similarly convinced by the prospect of an Aston - Honda tie-up.

Share Or Save This Story

Previous article The off-track action that makes the Miami GP an F1 race like no other
Next article What is really going on with F1’s 2026 active aero plans

Top Comments
More from
Filip Cleeren

What Alonso needs from Aston Martin and F1 as career decision looms

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
What Alonso needs from Aston Martin and F1 as career decision looms

Why nationality should be 'no factor' as Haas considers Fornaroli and Camara for F1 2027

Formula 1
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Why nationality should be 'no factor' as Haas considers Fornaroli and Camara for F1 2027

McLaren to finally trial 'Macarena-style' rear wing in Hungarian GP practice

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
McLaren to finally trial 'Macarena-style' rear wing in Hungarian GP practice
More from
Aston Martin Racing

The key factor as Alonso weighs up F1 future

Formula 1
Formula 1
The key factor as Alonso weighs up F1 future

The expectation on Aston Martin's shoulders as it prepares to debut its Hungarian GP updates

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
The expectation on Aston Martin's shoulders as it prepares to debut its Hungarian GP updates

Aston Martin to use new Honda engine at F1 Dutch GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Belgian GP
Aston Martin to use new Honda engine at F1 Dutch GP

Latest news

"You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
"You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised

Russell: Data shows software calibration behind recent F1 struggles, not driving style

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Russell: Data shows software calibration behind recent F1 struggles, not driving style

Mercedes identifies Russell's F1 power unit software issue

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Mercedes identifies Russell's F1 power unit software issue

Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade is big – but not as big as F1 insiders expected it to be

Feature
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade is big – but not as big as F1 insiders expected it to be