Honda President Koji Watanabe has revealed the involvement that the Japanese manufacturer will have in deciding Aston Martin’s driver lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Honda will be ending its partnership with Red Bull at the end of the year to join the Silverstone-based squad for 2026 onwards. Although Aston Martin will have the final say in its driver lineup, which currently consists of two-time champion Fernando Alonso and Canadian driver Lance Stroll, Watanabe confirmed that Honda will still “voice its opinions” on the matter.
During an interview with The Japan Times during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Watanabe explained:
“The number of seats will be reduced. However, as for us, we will continue to voice our opinions as Honda in deciding the drivers for 2026 and beyond.
“Obviously the team has the final say in deciding which drivers join the team … but the situation will be the same [as with Red Bull] where we will have our say.”
Rumours surrounding the future of Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda have indicated a move to Aston Martin in the future. However, the Honda-backed driver has just secured his long-waited opportunity in the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen, and there has been no confirmation of a move.
Watanabe also reflected on the successful partnership between Honda and Red Bull, which was celebrated with Verstappen’s commanding win in Suzuka yesterday. He commented:
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation
Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
“Looking back now, we’re very proud of the results that we have achieved with this partnership.
“Especially with Yuki (Tsunoda) being here at a home race, racing for Red Bull … it’s a very important and very significant weekend.”
Honda to Aston Martin
The British team announced its move away from Mercedes powertrains in 2023. In line with the new era of F1 regulations, Honda is set to join Aston Martin as a works power unit supplier.
The Japanese manufacturer was enticed back into the sport by the 100% sustainable fuels and the shift to a more hybridised powertrain. Honda had initially confirmed that it would be moving away from the sport which led Red Bull to enter into a partnership with Ford to utilise Red Bull Powertrains from next year.
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe stated at the time:
“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.”
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