Honda names major Aston Martin target as 'cruel' F1 challenge awaits

Honda has named its main target for the 2026 season as it rejoins "cruel" F1 with the Aston Martin team.

The Japanese manufacturer had withdrawn from F1 at the end of 2021, ending its partnership with Red Bull, but made a low-key return in 2022, with the team continuing to run Honda power units under the 'Red Bull Powertrains' badge.

For 2026, Honda is returning in a full capacity for the new era of regulations, with the power units set to feature three times as much electrical energy - 350kw from 120kw - in a new deal with Aston Martin, which effectively becomes the Honda works team. 

Aston Martin has been aggressively targeting 2026 to challenge for the world titles, including signing Adrian Newey from Red Bull and investing in a brand-new state-of-the-art factory, with the team becoming a works outfit for the first time after ending its Mercedes power unit supply, stretching back to 2009 and its Force India guise.

Detailing what Honda is expecting as it returns full-time to grand prix racing, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) president Koji Watanabe explained the small but important steps needed.

"[The] definition of success for me [is that] 2026 is a year to ensure the partnership we have created between Aston Martin and Honda is functioning as planned, as one integrated team," Watanabe explained in Aston Martin's Undercut series.

"We need to ensure we have the values we have aimed for and that we achieve our performance goals.

"The thing we can't predict, and is beyond our control, is the status of our competitors. Before we know that, we can't talk about anything beyond meeting our own internal goals for the season. 

"Of course, in the longer term, the ultimate goal of this partnership, and our definition of success, is winning the World Championship.

"It's very important to take a long-term view of this. Our relationship with Aston Martin is going beyond a technical collaboration – we are sharing a common vision. There is a lot of passion in the team at the AMR Technology Campus, but also a great deal of quality. 

"Pair that with Honda’s development skills and ability to provide winning power units, and we have the potential to be successful in F1, not just in 2026, but also '27, '28 and beyond.

"We are on the eve of something very special.

"It's vital to trust and respect your partners and continue to improve together.

"Honda has supplied engines and power units to various teams over the decades. There have been days and years with very good results, but also days and years with poor results. 

"Whatever happens on track, it's important that we remain one entity.

"F1 can be cruel. It's a cruel business, and sometimes, if results are not what you hope for, it's difficult to improve – but it is absolutely vital to maintain the relationship of trust and respect with your partners."