Aston Martin will be owned by Honda from 2026
Aston Martin has confirmed Honda will replace Mercedes as engine supplier from 2026.
The announcement, made on Wednesday ahead of this week’s Monaco Grand Prix, confirms Honda’s full-time return to Formula 1 under the sport’s engine regulations that come into force that year.
The Japanese manufacturer has left the sport at the end of the 2021 season, although it will continue to supply engines to Red Bull Powertrains – which powers the Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams – in a deal that runs until the end of the 2025 season.
The deal also means that Aston Martin will switch from a customer-focused to a performance engine and is the latest step in owner Lawrence Stroll’s plans to become a head-turning outfit.
“I would like to welcome Honda and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team,” said Stroll. “We share unity, determination, and the will to succeed.
“Honda is the best in the world and its success in motorsport is long and impressive.”
Aston Martin have been the surprise team of F1 2023 so far, picking up four podiums through Fernando Alonso and jumping from seventh to second in the constructors’ championship – ahead of current engine supplier Mercedes.
The Silverstone-based team is about to enter their new “game-changing” factory as their new wind tunnel opens later next year and will affect the development of their cars from 2025.
Aston Martin Performance Technologies CEO Martin Whitmarsh added: “I have had the privilege of working with Honda over the years and I am delighted to have the opportunity to partner with HRC and the Aston Martin Formula 1 team from 2026.
Lawrence Stroll believes Aston Martin’s ‘big changes’ have put Aston Martin in contention this season.
“The new 2026 F1 electricity rules are a big and important change but one that we are confident we can successfully navigate together.
“Our future partnership with Honda is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that is shaping Aston Martin’s ambitious goals in Formula One.
“Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to our electronic equipment supplier with whom we will continue to partner for the next few seasons.”
Honda complete F1 U-turn
Honda was confirmed in February as one of six engine manufacturers to sign up for the next generation of Formula 1, which will run on sustainable fuel and have more power.
The company announced in 2020 that it will leave F1 at the end of the 2021 season in order to “try to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050” and research and develop into new sectors of electricity and electronic technology.
However, the new rules of the F1 engine, which have seen a significant increase in the deployment of electric power and the use of 100 percent sustainable fuel, have convinced the company that their goals of carbon neutrality and increased electricity can be achieved while participating in the sport. .
The CEO of Honda, Toshihiro Mibe, said: “One of the main reasons we decided to participate in the new F1 championship is that the world’s most successful race is striving to become a sustainable series, which is in line with Honda’s ambitions to pursue carbon neutrality, and it will be a platform that will help us develop our electronic skills.
“Honda is a company with a history of growing in the face of adversity and winning the world’s top races. With the new regulations for 2026, the key to success will be an electric, light and powerful engine with high performance. A battery that can produce more power and faster , and energy management technology
“We believe that the technologies and skills we have gained from these new challenges can be directly applied to our future electric vehicles, such as electric sports cars, as well as electric technology in various areas, including eVTOL which is currently being researched and developed.
“Honda and our new partner, the Aston Martin F1 Team, share the same sincere feelings and determination to win, so starting with the 2026 season, we will work together and strive to become the Championship as Aston Martin Aramco Honda.”
Red Bull’s relationship with Honda will end at the end of the 2025 season
Red Bull, which has been managed by Honda since 2019, has taken over responsibility for Honda engines under its new Red Bull Powertrains division in a deal that runs until the end of the 2025 season.
However, Red Bull will be ready to build their own engines from 2026, and after announcing a new technology partnership with Ford from that season onwards, Honda has been left scrambling for a new deal.
Honda said in February that it was linked to several F1 teams signed to 2026, and their partnership with Aston Martin completes their return to F1 for the fifth time.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali has welcomed Honda’s return to the sport.
“It’s good news for Formula 1 that Honda has partnered with Aston Martin to supply electric power from 2026,” said Domenicali.
“This is further evidence that our global platform and scale offer models with great potential, and it also shows that our plans to move to renewable fuels in 2026 is the right way to provide alternative solutions for the world’s vehicles.
“We can all see the incredible commitment Aston Martin has made to our sport and we can’t wait to see this exciting partnership in action, and I would like to congratulate both parties on this exciting news.”
Honda boss Mibe also praised the sport’s stewards Domenicali, as well as the governing body FIA for their work to change the rules.
He added: “Honda has great respect for the FIA, which made a bold decision to implement these new and difficult rules to ensure that all aspects of the competition and the international environment are in good shape, as well as the Formula One team, which has been advancing the competition. The brand value of F1 is to ensure the evolution of F1 as the world’s most popular motor racing event.”
Formula 1 now takes to the streets of Monaco for the sixth Grand Prix of 2023 – watch all the action on Sky Sports F1 from May 26-28. Get Sky Sports