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Aston Martin and Honda ‘on the eve of something very special’

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The Honda and Aston Martin partnership that will hit the track in 2026 is “on the eve of something very special,” according to Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe.

Honda and Aston Martin are joining forces for the new Formula 1 power unit regulations, with the Japanese manufacturer having brought its time with Red Bull to a close this year. The Red Bull partnership ended with three straight victories – bringing the total up to 72 since 2018 – but focus now turns to a new era that Watanabe says is designed with future long-term success in mind.

“Definition of success… for me, 2026 is a year to ensure the partnership we have created between Aston Martin Aramco and Honda is functioning as planned, as one integrated team,” Watanabe told the Aston Martin website. “We need to ensure we have the values we have aimed for and that we achieve our performance goals.

“The thing we can’t predict, and is beyond our control, is the status of our competitors. Before we know that, we can’t talk about anything beyond meeting our own internal goals for the season. Of course, in the longer term, the ultimate goal of this partnership, and our definition of success, is winning the World Championship.

“It’s very important to take a long-term view of this. Our relationship with Aston Martin Aramco is going beyond a technical collaboration – we are sharing a common vision. There is a lot of passion in the team at the AMR Technology Campus, but also a great deal of quality. Pair that with Honda’s development skills and ability to provide winning power units, and we have the potential to be successful in F1, not just in 2026, but also ’27, ’28 and beyond.

“We are on the eve of something very special.”

The changes for 2026 also include new aerodynamic regulations and provide the scope for a very different pecking order next season, with Watanabe emphasizing the need to work collaboratively if there is any deficit in performance early in the new cycle.

“It comes back to the idea of being one team. It’s vital to trust and respect your partners and continue to improve together,” he said. “Honda has supplied engines and power units to various teams over the decades. There have been days and years with very good results, but also days and years with poor results. Whatever happens on track, it’s important that we remain one entity.

“F1 can be… cruel. It’s a cruel business and sometimes, if results are not what you hope for, it’s difficult to improve – but it is absolutely vital to maintain the relationship of trust and respect with your partners.”