Aston Martin announces it has reached a major milestone in preparation for 2026
Struggling on track, the British team is trying to prepare its future as best as possible, especially with the new regulations of 2026. An initiative that seems to have worked since it has just announced having reached a major milestone with a collaboration agreement between several of its technical partners.
The Aston Martin team wants to quickly overturn its difficult situation. This season, the results obtained are not up to the team’s ambitions, especially after the successful 2023 campaign which resulted in 8 podium finishes. The British team has indeed not yet tasted the podium this year and is in fifth place in the constructors’ standings, far behind the top four teams. A situation to which Lawrence Stroll’s team seems to have resigned itself, already focusing on next year, but above all on the arrival of the new FIA regulations in 2026.
A new technical partnership.
To do this, the team from Silverstone has just announced some good news with a collaboration agreement reached between three main partners of the brand: Honda, Valvoline, and Aramco. As part of this technical partnership, it is agreed that Aramco, the Saudi oil company and F1 partner, will provide cutting-edge fuels to Aston Martin. This decision is not trivial, as it is the same company that led the development of the prototype of renewable fuel that will be used by F1 from 2026, as the sport transitions to completely biofuels.
On its side, Honda, a Japanese manufacturer originally responsible for Red Bull’s current engines, will join the Silverstone team in 2026, replacing the Mercedes engine. Honda will develop a new power unit that will comply with the 2026 regulations with a 50/50 split between electrical and combustion energy.
Finally, Aston Martin F1 specifies that Valvoline, an American automotive services company, will provide cutting-edge lubricants for the powertrain as well as expertise stemming from its 150 years of experience in automotive and industrial solutions.
A cohabitation to bring the team back to the front of the grid
The British team also added that this technical partnership aims to leverage the expertise and technology of each world-class partner to create the best possible opportunities and that now all parties will work together with the aim of placing the team at the cutting edge of performance, reliability, and sustainability. Aston Martin hopes that this new agreement will allow the single-seater to regain performance. Team boss Lawrence Stroll is optimistic about the team’s future.
« This milestone marks an important step in our journey towards the 2026 F1 season, with the goal of pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Collaboration with Aramco, Valvoline Global, and Honda is now progressing at a rapid pace, and we are on track to achieve our ambitious goals.
« The joint efforts to develop advanced fuels and lubricants, as well as our new Honda power unit, are about to elevate our performance on the track, and we are convinced that this partnership will bring considerable success to all parties involved.
» The three Aston Martin partners also wanted to address their message regarding this future collaboration.
Delighted partners with this association.
Yasser Mufti, Executive Vice President of Aramco for Products and Customers, for example, revealed being very enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with prestigious companies such as Aston Martin Aramco Formula One, Honda Racing Corporation, and Valvoline Global. On his part, Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, stated: “Working together with Aston Martin, Valvoline Global, and Aramco is a unique collaborative experience. We look forward to powering the Aston Martin Aramco race car into the new era of Formula 1 regulations, and we are proud to be part of this unique partnership with four incredible brands.”
Finally, Jamal Muashsher, CEO of Valvoline Global, was eager to showcase his company in this partnership: “Our collaboration with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team is a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible in motorsport. Valvoline’s advanced lubricant technologies play a crucial role in this partnership, and we are excited to see the results of our combined efforts on the track in 2026.” “An association that should be beneficial for Aston Martin, which has only scored 74 points since the start of the season and is therefore counting on future changes in Formula 1 to become one of the top teams on the grid.”
