Aston Martin could turn to Honda in 2026
The 2026 Formula 1 season will see a reshuffling of engine partners. In recent weeks, a rumor has been growing, that of an alliance between the Aston Martin team and Honda.
This possibility is one of the intriguing stories that emerged during the April break, the Japanese motor manufacturer Honda would be seeking an agreement with Aston Martin.
« We are curious to know where F1 is going »
After difficult years with McLaren between 2015 and 2017, Honda found success in its collaboration with Red Bull and its sister team AlphaTauri. Although the end of the F1 program was announced a few months before the 2021 world title, Honda continues to provide power units to the Austrian team.
However, the 2026 season will see a reshuffling of engine partners. Red Bull and AlphaTauri will be turning to a Ford engine. Meanwhile, Sauber will be leaving Ferrari to join Audi.
Honda’s position remains uncertain. Surely motivated by Max Verstappen’s double title, the company is considering its planned withdrawal from Formula 1, and more importantly, its name appears on the list of registered constructors with the FIA for 2026.
« We believe that the future orientation of Formula 1 aligns with our objective, which is why we have decided to register as a power unit manufacturer. We are curious about where Formula 1 is headed, being the premier racing category, and how it will unfold with increased electrification. We would like to keep a very close eye on this. That is why we have decided to register as a power unit manufacturer,” said Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation. This statement gives rise to speculation.
After completing the registration, we were contacted by several Formula 1 teams, he even added. Nothing concrete yet, but definitely a noticeable interest.
The Ambition of Stroll
It is worth noting that the team will soon switch to its own wind tunnel in Silverstone and move away from the Mercedes facilities located in Brackley.
Another step that could be skipped if the rumor turned out to be true is the decrease in the number of Mercedes parts. For example, at Sauber, this model has been gradually replaced as their partnership with Audi progressed. The Swiss team notably went back to manufacturing their own gearbox instead of using Ferrari’s.
Also, last December, Aston’s Technical Director, Dan Fallows, had emphasized that there were no plans in place to reduce the dependence on Mercedes, but had not closed any doors to future changes.
« What this team has gained from its relationship with Mercedes is immense. And as we move towards the future and do things our way or undertake our own projects, we are very aware that we need to be able to do them at least as well, if not better than them. It’s a capability that we will have to acquire before even thinking about making these decisions », he declared.
« Lawrence is very open about his ambitions for this team, and I think we always need to evaluate what the next thing is that will help us become more competitive,” concluded Fallows.
