F1 Rumour: Honda To Partner With Aston Martin From 2026
After announcing that Red Bull would be creating their own powertrains from 2026 and parting ways with their current engine partner, Honda, the Japanese company is now is now very likely to partner up with Aston Martin, according to The Race.
Despite their exit from Formula 1, Honda still managed to win the drivers' championship with Red Bull Racing and their driver Max Verstappen in 2021. In the following year, the Austrian team took over the Honda engines, but the Japanese engine manufacturer remained closely involved in the project. As fate would have it, Verstappen once again won the drivers' title in 2022. Additionally, Red Bull Racing clinched the constructors' championship that year.
Now that Red Bull Powertrains has found a partner in Ford, Honda is on the hunt for a new team to supply engines to. The Race reports that several sources indicate that Aston Martin could well be their next partner. The British racing team has already expressed their desire to become the first partner of an engine manufacturer. Although they had explored the possibility of building their own engine, it appears that this is no longer an option for them. Thus, Aston Martin is now looking for an alternative, which could be Honda.
Honda's return to Formula 1 with Aston Martin could have significant implications for the sport. The move would signal a major shift in the balance of power, especially considering the success that Honda has had in recent years with Red Bull Racing. Furthermore, Aston Martin's decision to partner with Honda could provide a much-needed boost to their own fortunes, given their struggles on the track in recent seasons.