Fernando Alonso insists that he would have no issues working with Honda should he still be racing for Aston Martin when the two sides begin their Formula 1 partnership in 2026. It was recently announced that the British team will join forces with Honda when F1's new power unit regulations come into effect in 2026, bringing an end to Aston Martin's long relationship with Mercedes. Alonso has a slightly troubled history with the Japanese company, given the ill-fated McLaren-Honda days of 2015-17. Despite this, Honda have stated that they are open to working with Alonso again and the two-time World Champion appears equally accepting of the possibility.
Alonso reacts to Honda news
"[It's] very good news for the team, very excited," Alonso told media, including RacingNews365.com , ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. "I think it shows the commitment of Aston Martin to really win races, win championships in the future, being independent, manufacturing their own gearboxes and everything on the car. "It's the only way probably to really be 100% sure that you are in control of everything in your package, in your car, and it's a great sign for everybody in Aston Martin, that the desire and the potential to win is there."
'No problem' with Honda reunion
Alonso will be 44 at the start of the 2026 F1 season and admits that it is too early to say whether he will still be racing at that point. However, should he still be with Aston Martin, the Spaniard would not have an issue in reuniting with Honda. "Racing again with Honda, it's going to be no problem at all from my side," Alonso said. "I know that it didn't work out last time, [in] 2015, 2016, 2017. It was even worse, maybe, for some of my teammates, like Stoffel [Vandoorne], coming from dominating F3, F2, and then joining the project that maybe was not fully ready back then. "But I think they prove that they have now a competitive package. They won the championship in '21 [with Red Bull], they won a championship in '22, most likely will win the champion in '23. "So I think they have now a very strong package, and it's a new set of regulations [in 2026], but I think it will be a very exciting project, for sure."
A new role for Alonso?
When asked if he may still be a part of Aston Martin in a non-driving role in 2026, Alonso was reluctant to think that far ahead. "I don't know," he responded. "This is way too far ahead to really have an idea, so I have to concentrate and focus on this year. As I said, [this is] very exciting news, what is happening now to the team, this new partnership with Honda, the new factory at the end of this month. "I think the team is moving to the new building, the new wind tunnel, next year, so there are so many things happening that it's just normal to get excited and want to be part of this team for many, many years. "If it's as a driver or in a different role, I will be just honoured to be part of it. But so far [this weekend] it's just Monaco in my head, and this year and next year. Even '25, I'm not sure what I will do."
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