Honda returns to Formula 2026 in the 1 season after a short abstinence as an engine supplier for the Aston Martin racing team. As the Japanese carmaker announced on Wednesday, a factory partnership has been concluded with the English team. The new name will then be Aston Martin Aramco Honda. It was only at the end of 2021 that Honda actually withdrew from motorsport's premier class, but has now decided to make a comeback because of the reforms that will take effect in two and a half years.
"One of the main reasons for our decision to take on the new challenge is Formula 1's ambition to become a sustainable racing series," said Honda Managing Director Toshihiro Mibe. This is in line with the Group's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.
The future new hybrid engines are to be powered by one hundred percent sustainable fuel. The combustion engine in the unit is only supposed to contribute 50 percent of the power, the rest is electric. The new regulations, which are geared towards sustainability, have already made it possible for Audi and Ford to join the company from 2026 onwards.
Until the end of 2021, Honda was a partner of Red Bull and celebrated Dutchman Max Verstappen's first title win in the farewell season. The Japanese company had withdrawn a year and a half ago because of the high costs as an engine manufacturer. Red Bull used the previously developed fundamentals to build its own engine unit, but continues to receive technical assistance from Honda until the end of 2025. Aston Martin, the former team of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, currently still runs on Mercedes engines.
After the collapse of the deal with the Volkswagen subsidiary Porsche, Red Bull will get drive units from the US group Ford from 2026. The contract is valid until at least the end of 2030. Audi will also enter Formula 2026 in 1 together with the Sauber racing team.