Honda, Aston Martin on the Eve of 'Something Special' for 2026

Honda is approaching its 2026 works partnership with Aston Martin with a blend of long-term ambition and short-term realism, viewing the upcoming season as a foundation-building year. Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe emphasizes that success in 2026 will be defined by establishing a seamless, integrated team with shared values and performance goals, with the ultimate aim of winning a world championship in the years that follow.

Why it matters:

Honda's partnership with Aston Martin represents one of the most significant technical realignments for the 2026 regulation reset. After a dominant era with Red Bull, Honda's commitment to a long-term project with a team undergoing massive infrastructure investment signals a strategic shift. This alliance has the potential to reshape the competitive order if they can successfully merge Honda's proven power unit expertise with Aston Martin's growing technical capabilities.

The details:

• Watanabe defines 2026 success not by immediate titles, but by ensuring the Aston Martin Aramco-Honda partnership functions as "one integrated team" and meets its internal performance goals, acknowledging competitor performance as an unknown variable.
• The decision to partner with Aston Martin was driven by the team's leadership, specifically the passion and competitive vision of Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll, and the tangible commitment shown through new facilities like the AMR Technology Campus and experienced personnel hires.
• Honda views the relationship as surpassing a mere technical collaboration, centering on a shared long-term vision for sustained success beyond the initial 2026 season.
• Watanabe stresses the importance of maintaining a unified "one team" mentality through inevitable competitive highs and lows, emphasizing trust and respect as vital for navigating F1's "cruel" competitive landscape.

What's next:

The focus is squarely on executing the foundational work for the 2026 season. The partnership's strength will be tested as they develop the new-generation power unit and chassis under radically new regulations. Watanabe's confidence suggests Honda and Aston Martin are preparing for a marathon, not a sprint, with the belief that their aligned vision and combined resources can yield a special and enduring competitive force.