Aston Martin Welcomes Honda’s F1 Return
The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team (AMF1) has agreed a new engine deal with Honda, marking the Japanese automobile manufacturer’s formal return to Formula 1.
As part of the new ‘works partnership’, Honda will supply power units to the AMF1 team from the 2026 season, which are compliant with Formula 1’s new power unit regulations that will come into force that year.
The new regulations will see a significant increase in the deployment of electrical power and the use of 100% sustainable fuel supplied by AMF1 Team strategic partner Aramco.
The company officially pulled out of Formula 1 at the end of 2021 but its engines are still used by the two Red Bull teams.
Honda said on Wednesday that the sport’s pursuit of carbon-neutrality by 2030 was the ‘key factor’ behind its decision to re-enter officially.
Formula 1 has used hybrid engines since 2014 but the new rules will make significant changes in their layout. The biggest is the removal of the MGU-H, the part of the hybrid system that recovers energy from the turbo, and a significant increase in the proportion of hybrid power in the engine’s power output.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman, AMF1 Team, commented, “I would like to welcome Honda and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team. We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on track.
“Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive. I would like to thank Mr Mibe and Mr Watanabe, and the whole team at HRC as we embark on this exciting future together from 2026.”
Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO, Honda, commented, “One of the key reasons for our decision to take up the new challenge in F1 is that the world’s pinnacle form of racing is striving to become a sustainable racing series, which is in line with the direction Honda is aiming toward carbon neutrality, and it will become a platform which will facilitate the development of our electrification technologies.
“Honda is a company that has a history of growing by taking on challenges and winning world-class races. With the new 2026 regulations, the key for winning will be a compact, lightweight, and high-power electric motor with a high-performance battery capable of handling high and swift power output, as well as the energy management technology.
“We believe that the technologies and know-how gained from this new challenge can potentially be applied directly to our future mass production electric vehicles, such as an electric flagship sports model, and electrification technologies in various areas, including eVTOL which is currently under research and development.
“Honda and our new partner, the Aston Martin F1 Team, share the same sincere attitude and determination to win, so starting with the 2026 season, we will work together and strive for the Championship title as Aston Martin Aramco Honda.
“Honda has the utmost respect for the FIA, which made a bold decision to introduce these new and challenging regulations to ensure the sustainability of both racing activities and the global environment, and for the Formula One Group, which has been enhancing the brand value of F1 and ensuring F1’s evolvement as the most prestigious automobile racing in the world.”
