Honda Boss Admits 2026 Power Unit Struggles, Downplays 'Fatal' Issues

Honda HRC President Koji Watanabe has offered a candid update on the company's 2026 power unit, admitting that while development is facing struggles and the project needs more time, there are no 'fatal' issues that cannot be overcome. The Japanese manufacturer is working 'night and day' to produce a competitive engine for its full-factory return with Aston Martin under the new regulations, aiming to build a long-term championship-contending partnership.

Why it matters:

Honda's return as a works supplier is one of the major storylines for the 2026 season, representing a massive reset for the sport. The success of their power unit is intrinsically linked to Aston Martin's ambitious project, which has recruited top talent like Adrian Newey to fight for championships. A strong and reliable Honda engine could immediately shake up the competitive order at the front of the grid, while persistent struggles could relegate the Silverstone-based squad to the midfield despite their significant investments.

The details:

• Frank Assessment: Watanabe stated, "Frankly, we still need more time," and described development as a "mixed bag" with some components succeeding and others failing unexpectedly. He added, "not everything is going well, so there are many areas where we are struggling, but nothing fatal has happened that we cannot overcome."
• Technical Hurdles: The 2026 regulations present a huge challenge, requiring a new 350kW electric motor, a lightweight battery, and maximizing power from a smaller internal combustion engine. Watanabe previously called the entire project "very difficult."
• Aston Martin Integration: Honda is working to align its power unit with the vision of new team principal Adrian Newey. Watanabe noted that while the technical team collaborates closely with Andy Cowell (now focused on PU integration), he will work more with Newey, admitting the partnership "is not perfect at this stage" but something they will continue to build.
• FIA Safety Net: The FIA has anticipated these development challenges, introducing the ADUO (Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities) system for 2026, which will allow manufacturers to catch up with additional development tokens throughout the season.

What's next:

The immediate focus is on the official launch of Honda's 2026 power unit at an event in Tokyo on January 20th, followed by the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona on January 26th. While homologation isn't until late February, Watanabe emphasized that development will continue "right up to the very last minute." Long-term, Honda is focused on establishing a framework for sustained competition with Aston Martin, and while supplying other teams is considered a natural future step, it is not a current priority.