Honda will formally RETURN to F1 as an engine partner to Aston Martin from 2026 – with their president Toshihiro Mibe insisting the sport’s push for carbon neutrality is the ‘main reason’ behind their full comeback
- Honda will be working with the Aston Martin team from the start of the 2026 season
- They have continued to supply Red Bull’s engines since they left F1 in 2021
- The manufacturer emphasized that durability was a key factor behind their return
Honda will undergo a full return to Formula 1 in 2026 as an engine partner to Aston Martin.
The Japanese car giant officially left the sport at the end of the 2021 season after seven years, but has since continued to supply engines to the two Red Bull teams.
After F1 unveiled its new engine regulations for 2026, which focus on power units running on fully sustainable fuels, Honda was eager to return to the grid in a formal capacity.
Honda’s relationship with Red Bull Racing, which has led to both of Max Verstappen’s world championships over the past two seasons, will come to an end in 2025.
Red Bull plans to launch its own in-house power unit division in partnership with American manufacturer Ford.
Honda will formally return to Formula 1 in 2026 as Aston Martin’s new engine partner
Mercedes will continue to supply Aston Martin (above) with their engines until the end of 2025
Red Bull Racing are on the verge of launching their own in-house power unit division, even as their relationship with Honda has brought success to two-time world champion Max Verstappen
Mercedes will continue to supply Aston Martin with their engine, gearbox and rear suspension until the end of the 2025 season.
Honda revealed on Wednesday that Formula 1’s commitment to sustainability and CO2 neutrality was a “major reason” for their return.
“One of the main reasons for our decision to take on the new challenge in F1 is that the world’s best form of racing is striving to become a sustainable racing series, which is in line with Honda’s direction towards carbon neutrality. will become a platform that will facilitate the development of our electrification technologies,” insisted Honda President Toshihiro Mibe.
Honda is a company with a history of growing by taking on challenges and winning world-class races.
“With the new regulations for 2026, the key to winning is a compact, lightweight and powerful electric motor with a powerful battery that can handle high and fast power, as well as the power management technology.
“We believe that the technologies and know-how gained from this new challenge could potentially be directly applied to our future mass-production electric vehicles, such as a flagship electric sports model, and electrification technologies in several areas, including eVTOL, which is currently being explored. . and development.
Honda president Toshihiro Mibe stressed that durability was a key factor behind their return
Aston Martin chief Lawrence Stroll aims to compete with reigning champions Red Bull
“Honda and our new partner, the Aston Martin F1 Team, share the same sincere attitude and determination to win, so from the 2026 season we will work together and aim for the championship title as Aston Martin Aramco Honda.”
“Honda has the utmost respect for the FIA, which has taken a bold decision to introduce these new and challenging regulations to ensure the sustainability of both racing activities and the global environment, and for the Formula 1 Group, who of F1 and ensure the development of F1 as the most prestigious motor race in the world.”
Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll added: “I would like to welcome Honda and HRC to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One team. We share a mutual drive, determination and unwavering ambition to succeed on track.
“Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is long lasting and incredibly impressive. I want mr. Mibe and mr. Watanabe, and the entire HRC team as we embark on this exciting future together from 2026.”