How factory visit helped Aston Martin beat rivals to Honda F1 engine deal

The Japanese manufacturer announced on Wednesday morning that it will be embarking on an exclusive works relationship with Aston Martin from 2026, after its current partnership with Red Bull ends.

The arrangement comes after Honda initially lodged its interest in producing an engine for the 2026 rules last November, without having any clarity on potential partners.

Reflecting on how the negotiations progressed from there, Honda says that 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.

“We were approached by so many teams,” he said. “There were many discussions, debating as to whether we really wanted to participate in the 2026 race, and there were great and wonderful offers from various teams.

“But it was in particular Aston Martin's passionate offer, and their determination to win whatever it costs, [that meant] we were very moved. We thought that their vision and passion were very similar to ours.”

Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe revealed that negotiations with Aston Martin began as early as January.

But he says it was a factory visit to the team’s new £200 million Silverstone base earlier this year that rammed home to him why teaming up with the squad was the best option.

“We had discussions with multiple teams in order to figure out the future moving forward,” he explained.

"Through various discussions, we thought that Aston Martin had the strongest passion for winning the championship.

“I was personally honoured to visit the factory physically and see they were making investments on various things, including personnel, and steadily progressing forward.

“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.”

Honda with Astion Martin Racing F1 Team

Photo by: Aston Martin Racing

While Aston Martin’s attitude has impressed Honda’s bosses, the team itself 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.