The partnership between Honda and Aston Martin, which is able to hit the observe in 2026, is “on the eve of one thing very particular”, stated Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Company.
Honda and Aston Martin are working collectively on new F1 energy unit rules, with the Japanese producer ending its period with Purple Bull this yr. Whereas the partnership with Purple Bull ended on a three-game successful streak, bringing the entire since 2018 to 72, the main target now shifts to a brand new period that Watanabe says has been designed with future long-term success in thoughts.
“The definition of success… For me, 2026 is the yr that ensures the partnership we’ve got constructed between Aston Martin Aramco and Honda works as deliberate as one built-in staff,” Watanabe stated on Aston Martin’s web site. “We’d like to verify we ship on the worth we got down to obtain and meet our efficiency targets.
“What we can not predict and what we can not management is the standing of our rivals. Till we all know that, we can not discuss something aside from reaching our inner targets for the season. In fact, in the long run, the final word objective of this partnership, and our definition of success, is to win the World Championship.”
“It is extremely essential that we take a look at this long-term. Our relationship with Aston Martin Aramco goes past simply technical cooperation, we share a standard imaginative and prescient. Not solely is there a number of ardour within the staff on the AMR Know-how Campus, however the high quality can also be very excessive. Mix that with Honda’s growth abilities and talent to ship successful energy items and we’ve got the potential to achieve success in F1 not solely in 2026, however in 2027, 2028 and past.”
“We at the moment are on the eve of one thing very particular.”
The 2026 adjustments additionally embrace new aerodynamic rules, giving room for giant adjustments within the standings subsequent season, and Watanabe harassed the necessity to work collectively to handle any efficiency gaps early within the new cycle.
“It goes again to the concept of being one staff. It is essential to belief and respect our companions and proceed to enhance collectively,” he stated. “Honda has been supplying engines and energy items to numerous groups for many years. There have been some days with excellent outcomes and a few years with very dangerous outcomes. It is crucial that we stay one group it doesn’t matter what occurs on the observe.”
“F1 will be… merciless. It is a merciless enterprise and typically it is troublesome to enhance if you aren’t getting the outcomes you anticipated. However it’s completely essential to keep up a relationship of belief and respect along with your companions.”
