Japanese carmaker Honda officially revealed the signing of a works partnership agreement with Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team (AMF1) to return to the pinnacle of motorsport as a powertrain supplier for the Silverstone-based outfit from 2026 onwards.
The announcement came through a press conference held by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) in its global head office, located in Aoyama, Tokyo, on Wednesday in the presence of AMF1 Team Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll and Group CEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies Martin Whitmarsh.
“I would like to welcome Honda and HRC to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team,” Stroll said. “We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on track.”
Adding: “Honda is a global titan, and its success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive. I would like to thank Mr. Mibe, Mr. Watanabe, and the whole team at HRC as we embark on this exciting future together from 2026.”
Addressing the new deal with AMF1 Team, Honda Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe, 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.”
In 2026, the FIA will introduce new power unit (PU) regulations intended to make it possible and attractive for newcomers to join the sport at a competitive level.
The new technical rules focus on greater electrification - increasing the power unit electric share by up to 50 percent - using 100 percent of advanced sustainable synthetic fuel.
Last August, the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the 2026 Formula 1 Power Unit Technical, Sporting, and Financial Regulations, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and sustainability, aiming to achieve the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral racing series by 2030.
Speaking about taking on the new challenge, Mr. Mibe outlined: “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 to 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 the energy management technology.”
“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.”
According to the HRC statement - responsible for auto and motorcycle motorsports activities since 2022 - the automaker will assume responsibility for power unit development and act in race participation and management of Formula 1 racing.
“The new 2026 F1 power unit regulations are a huge and important change but one which we are confident we can navigate successfully together,” Whitmarsh asserted.
“Jointly with our strategic partner Aramco, we can look forward to open collaboration towards a common goal. Our future works partnership with Honda is one of the last parts of the jigsaw puzzle slotting into place for Aston Martin’s ambitious plans in Formula One.
“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to our current power unit supplier, who we will continue to partner with for the next few seasons.”
In 2009, Mercedes became Aston Martin F1 power unit, gearbox, and rear suspension supplier, an agreement valid through the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, Honda’s latest stint in Formula One finished in 2021.
The journey began as McLaren F1 engine manufacturer and continued with Renault until 2018 when the giant automaker joined forces as the new power unit supplier for Scuderia Toro Rosso, renamed AlphaTauri.
A year later, senior team Red Bull Racing and Honda signed a multi-year engine partnership, extended until 2021, including both Red Bull-owned teams.
And by the hand of two-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen, Honda achieved its first victory since 2006 at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, the first of the V6 turbo-hybrid era.
Three further victories and 13 podium finishes in just 31 race starts would follow that year, a successful alliance that would conclude at its peak, consolidated with Verstappen claiming his maiden Formula One world championship with Red Bull Honda.
Honda and Red Bull have continued their collaboration through a power unit support partnership ending in 2025.
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, stressed: “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.”