Honda Reveal "Multiple Teams" Are Interested In 2026 Collaboration
Honda has recently revealed that several F1 teams have expressed interest in an engine supply deal for the 2026 season. The announcement came after the Japanese car manufacturer registered for the new power unit regulations set to take effect in 2026. The regulations have been designed to attract new manufacturers to the sport.
While Ford and Audi have already shown interest in the new regulations, Honda's registration came as a surprise to many. This is because Honda left the sport at the end of the 2021 season, though it still continues to support Red Bull. The FIA confirmed Honda's registration, leading to speculation of a potential reunion with McLaren, but it appears that more than one team is interested.
The president of Honda Racing Corporation, Koji Watanabe, spoke to the media and revealed that several Formula 1 teams have contacted Honda since the registration was made. This suggests that there is significant interest in the engine supply deal that Honda could potentially offer.
Watanabe explained:
“After we made the registration we have been contacted by multiple Formula 1 teams.
“For the time being we would like to keep a close eye on where Formula 1 is going and just see how things go.
"For now, we don’t have any concrete decisions on whether or not we will be going back to joining Formula 1.
“But from the perspective of technological development, we think that being part of Formula 1 is going to help us with technological development.
"So that is where we are.”
It is important to note that registering for the new power unit regulations does not commit Honda to joining the grid. However, the fact that multiple teams have expressed interest in an engine supply deal is a positive sign for Honda and indicates that there could be opportunities for the company to expand its presence in the sport.
While it remains to be seen whether Honda will commit to joining the grid, the fact that there is interest in an engine supply deal is a promising sign for the company's future in the sport.