The future high-stakes F1 battle that could transform the pecking order
Honda’s move to link up with Aston Martin when Formula 1’s new engine regulations come into force in 2026 means that six teams will have full manufacturer backing. But will it make for better competition, MARK GALLAGHER ponders...
Honda’s decision to switch the volume control on its on-off Formula 1 strategy back up to full in 2026 raises interesting questions. Given Aston Martin’s impressive form this year, will it be an Aston Martin-Honda that breaks firmly into the winner’s circle in the new era, winning championships and ending the duopoly enjoyed by Mercedes and Red Bull? A domination which, with Brawn-Mercedes included, is now 15 years old.
The Japanese company has learned much since remarrying McLaren in 2015, divorcing three years later, then decamping to Red Bull where it started winning races and world championship titles. However, the competitive landscape within which Honda will partner Aston Martin in 2026 is rather different to now, or indeed the one in which the Aston Martin-sponsored Red Bull-Hondas came to prominence by winning a couple of races and finishing runner-up in the constructors’ championship in 2020.
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The Verstappen techniques that have made him F1’s benchmark driver
The Verstappen techniques that have made him F1’s benchmark driver The Verstappen techniques that have made him F1’s benchmark driver
How a legendary F1 tester who turned down Ferrari became a key mover and shaker
How a legendary F1 tester who turned down Ferrari became a key mover and shaker How a legendary F1 tester who turned down Ferrari became a key mover and shaker
Why Aston Martin plans to keep an unsung Jordan F1 legend's memory alive
Why Aston Martin plans to keep an unsung Jordan F1 legend's memory alive Why Aston Martin plans to keep an unsung Jordan F1 legend's memory alive
Why the Verstappen brand is well-placed to mirror his on-track F1 success
Why the Verstappen brand is well-placed to mirror his on-track F1 success Why the Verstappen brand is well-placed to mirror his on-track F1 success
The travails of Verstappen’s would-be Dutch F1 superstar predecessors
The travails of Verstappen’s would-be Dutch F1 superstar predecessors The travails of Verstappen’s would-be Dutch F1 superstar predecessors
MotoGP Indian GP: Bezzecchi leads Marquez in first practice
MotoGP Indian GP: Bezzecchi leads Marquez in first practice MotoGP Indian GP: Bezzecchi leads Marquez in first practice
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen on top again in FP2 as Gasly crashes late on
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen on top again in FP2 as Gasly crashes late on F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen on top again in FP2 as Gasly crashes late on
Ricciardo F1 return in doubt for Qatar, Lawson set for more races
Ricciardo F1 return in doubt for Qatar, Lawson set for more races Ricciardo F1 return in doubt for Qatar, Lawson set for more races
Alpine ready to test Schumacher for WEC drive
Alpine ready to test Schumacher for WEC drive Alpine ready to test Schumacher for WEC drive
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.