Honda is to return to Formula 1 in a formal capacity in 2026 as engine partner for the Aston Martin team. The company officially pulled out of F1 at the end of 2021 but its engines are still used by the two Red Bull teams and are called Hondas again in 2023. Watanabe said: “Currently, the electrical power accounts for 20% or less compared to the internal combustion engine. Watanabe said the extension of F1’s cost cap to cover engines was also a factor in the decision as it made “long-term and continuous participation in F1 easier”. Watanabe said that Honda and Aston Martin’s F1 team “share the same spirit”. Watanabe said that Honda had no plans to supply any other teams “for the moment”. But Watanabe said that driver choices would be “fully up to the team” and Honda had “no objection” to working with Alonso again. He turns 42 in July and would be 44 by the start of Honda’s partnership with the team.

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