Japanese automaker Honda will officially be making its comeback in Formula 1 (F1) in 2026 as it inks a deal with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant team. Honda will be the engine supplier for the Aston Martin F1 team from 2026.
Honda Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe said that the company wanted to participate in F1 once again since the sport is making strides in becoming a sustainable racing series. A concept or a direction that goes in line with what Honda wants to achieve.
“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,” Mibe said.
The engine that Honda will supply to the Aston Martin team will be compliant with the new F1 power unit regulations, which will take effect in the 2026 season. The new power unit regulations are part of F1’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
As such, the new power unit is said to have a 50/50 maximum power output ratio from an engine and electric motor. This is claimed to make F1 cars from 2026 have a significant increase in the deployment of electrical power as compared to current regulations.
The 2026 F1 regulations also require a reduction of engine output while increasing or tripling the energy recovery system (ERS). The ERS recovers kinetic energy when the F1 car is braking, allowing it to be converted into electrical energy.
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 team boss Lawrence Stroll noted that the team shares a mutual drive to dominate on the track–and Honda is a global titan.
“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,” Stroll said.
Honda’s last stint as an engine supplier in F1 was with Red Bull back in 2021. Honda’s power unit allowed Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen to clinch the driver’s world championship.
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