It has been announced that Aston Martin’s Formula One team will be powered by Honda engines starting in 2026, marking Honda’s return to the sport after its departure in 2021.
This partnership serves as the final piece of the puzzle for Aston Martin, reinforcing their ambitious plans in Formula One.
The collaboration between Aston Martin and Honda comes at a time when Aston Martin finds itself unexpectedly in second place in the constructors’ standings, trailing only behind world champions Red Bull.
Much of this success can be attributed to the remarkable performance of Fernando Alonso, the two-time former champion, who has secured podium finishes in four out of five races this season following his switch from Alpine.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the Honda partnership, Martin Whitmarsh, Group CEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, stated, “Our future works partnership with Honda is one of the final components necessary to complete Aston Martin’s ambitious Formula One plan.”
Aston Martin will continue to utilize Mercedes power units until 2026, as Formula One undergoes significant technical changes. The sport is striving to become more sustainable, aligning with Honda’s commitment to carbon neutrality.
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe explained, “Honda and our new partner, the Aston Martin F1 Team, share the same sincere attitude and determination to win. Therefore, starting from the 2026 season, we will work together and strive for the Championship title.”
Looking ahead, the 2026 season will witness Red Bull and AlphaTauri partnering with Ford as the existing hybrid power units transition towards greater reliance on electric energy and 100 per cent sustainable fuel.
In addition to the Aston Martin-Honda collaboration, Audi is set to join the Formula One grid in 2026 through a deal to power the Sauber team, which currently competes as Alfa Romeo. The other prominent constructors in the sport are Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault (Alpine).
These developments indicate an exciting future for Formula One, as the sport embraces sustainability and attracts renowned automotive brands to its competitive arena.
