Honda to supply engines to Aston Martin F1 team from 2026



Honda Motor Co., Ltd has announced that it will be participating in the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) from the 2026 season. The Japanese carmaker will be playing the role of the Power Unit Supplier for the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team.

The works partnership Honda has agreed to enter into with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team will see the carmaker supplying power units while being compliant with the new F1 power unit regulations which will take effect in the 2026 season. Through the new F1 challenges, Honda will be honing its e-motor and battery technologies, which will later be fed back to mass production.

Honda’s participation in F1 with Red Bull in 2019

According to Honda, the new F1 power unit regulations are consistent with the direction it is taking, which is heading towards the realisation of carbon neutrality. Having made the decision to take on a new challenge in F1 racing, Honda has also mentioned that working to the regulations will also have profound significance on itself as the experience will provide the carmaker with important opportunities to pursue the development of future technologies.

In the journey of reaching its carbon neutrality goal by 2030, F1 will be implementing new regulations with a maximum power output of 50/50 between the engine and the electric motor. These new regulations will be in effect starting from the 2026 season, with participants required to use 100% sustainable fuel as well.

Specifically, the 2026 regulations essentially require a reduction of engine output while tripling the output of the energy recovery system (ERS). This can help recover kinetic energy under situations such as braking, converting it into electrical energy. As a result, the race car can have the maximum output that is roughly even between the engine and motor.

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The Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has become responsible for both the carmaker’s auto and motorcycle motorsports activities since 2022. With that, it will be assuming responsibility for the development of power units, race participation and the management of F1 racing as well.

Honda Racing Corporation President, Koji Watanabe said, “In the midst of major changes in our business and the motorsports environment leading toward the transition to a carbon-neutral society, we have re-established HRC as an optimal platform to sustain and further evolve motorsport activities as a Honda strength. We will establish sustainable operational structures for our racing activities and continue to deliver more dreams and excitement for motorsports fans all around the world.”

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll has also welcomed HRC with open arms, saying, “I would like to welcome Honda and HRC to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One 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.”

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