Honda’s Exciting Comeback to Formula 1 with Aston Martin

Prepare for an electrifying comeback as Honda, the renowned Japanese automaker, is set to partner with the prestigious Aston Martin Formula 1 team starting from 2026. The sport will be ushering in a new era of regulations, and Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe has shared an update on the progress of their revolutionary power unit.

A Glorious Past and Promising Future

After a triumphant stint with Red Bull that yielded two constructors’ championships and four drivers’ titles, Honda is now poised to become the power unit for the esteemed Silverstone squad. The manufacturer had initially announced its departure from the sport after the 2021 season, but the intriguing blend of internal combustion and electric power in the new regulations has lured Honda back into the fold.

During an interview with The Japan Times during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Watanabe confirmed that development of the 2026 power unit for Aston Martin is progressing smoothly. “We had discontinued the project with Formula One so we were not prepared in 2015,” Watanabe said. “We started from zero. Now we’re not starting from zero, so it is a smoother development.

A Familiar Face Returns

In an exciting turn of events, Honda will also be reuniting with the legendary aerodynamicist, Adrian Newey, at Aston Martin. The mastermind behind some of the most iconic F1 cars left Red Bull as chief technical officer last year and has now signed on with as managing technical director and shareholder.

Commenting on this upcoming reunion, Watanabe expressed his enthusiasm: “It is an honour to work together again with Newey at Aston Martin. We will work together to create a competitive F1 car.” Newey began working with the Lawrence Stroll-led team in March 2025, and Team Principal Andy Cowell shared insights into his first day with the squad: “There’s been huge interest in Adrian’s arrival but he’s not one for great ceremony. He walked into his office at the AMR Technology Campus, put his briefcase down, and was in a concept meeting almost straight away, discussing an area of the car.

Cowell further added that Newey has quickly immersed himself with the engineers and is bringing a fresh perspective to the team. “Ultimately, he’s an engineer helping engineer our race cars,” Cowell said. “He’s just rolled his sleeves up and got straight into the job. He’s asking questions, he’s offering opinions, and he’s bringing a fresh perspective. We’re delighted to have him.