Honda raise 'important' factors behind dramatic fall after Red Bull split

Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe has highlighted several "important" factors to take into account following the manufacturer's dramatic decline after switching from Red Bull to Aston Martin.

For years, the Japanese manufacturer supplied Red Bull with the strongest engine on the grid, helping Max Verstappen secure four consecutive drivers' titles.

Despite the significant power unit regulation changes, many initially expected Honda to transform Aston Martin and give it the boost needed to challenge the top teams.

Unfortunately, the opposite has happened, with Honda's power unit currently regarded as the weakest on the grid by a considerable margin, while also proving to be the least reliable.

It has put pressure on Honda to turn things around, given Lawrence Stroll's investment in Aston Martin, with Watanabe outlining the challenge of adapting to so many new elements.

"It is important to recognise that the current situation is fundamentally different from the time we worked together with Red Bull," Watanabe told F1. 

"The regulation is quite difficult, it is a new partnership with Aston Martin, the fuel is Aramco – and a new partner – and the lubricant is Valvoline, [which is also] new. So everything [is] new for us and it's not easy."

While Red Bull ran Honda engines during its dominant spell with Verstappen, the Japanese marque actually withdrew from F1 at the end of 2021, only continuing to provide technical support to the Austrian team.

It took Honda 18 months to decide to return for 2026, with Watanabe revealing that the initial development of the power unit now being used by Aston Martin was therefore delayed.

"The recovery from the delay caused by our previous withdrawal has taken time," Watanabe added. 

"So the late start of development, as well as the time required to rebuild necessary capacities and capabilities and bring back the required talent have been a significant factor."