Honda not giving up despite difficult start to Aston Martin Formula 1 partnership

After helping power Red Bull to multiple Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' titles, Honda's return as a full works supplier in 2026 has proved far more challenging. Aston Martin sit 10th in the championship after seven rounds, while reliability problems and a lack of performance have left Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll struggling at the back of the field.

Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe believes the circumstances are very different from the manufacturer's previous success with Red Bull.

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

Honda's decision to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2021 before reversing course 18 months later has also left the company playing catch up. Engineers were reassigned elsewhere within the business and could not be recalled immediately when the decision was made to return.

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

Honda have spent much of the season addressing reliability concerns, including vibration issues, but now believe they are in a position to focus more heavily on performance.

A power unit upgrade aimed at strengthening the internal combustion engine is planned for later this summer. However, Watanabe cautioned: "It will not dramatically change the situation overnight so our approach is unchanged and we will continue to work with a long-term perspective," he said.

Operating under Formula 1's engine cost cap has further complicated Honda's recovery. Resources that could have been spent on performance development were instead diverted towards fixing reliability issues, leaving the manufacturer trailing rivals Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Red Bull Ford.

The challenge is compounded by Aston Martin's own growing pains.  The team's first car under the new regulations has failed to meet expectations. Adrian Newey only joined Aston Martin in March 2025 and was immediately faced with developing a completely new car while the organisation underwent major expansion.

Aston Martin have also integrated a new chassis, gearbox, power unit supplier, wind tunnel, factory and personnel structure at the same time.

Rather than introducing small updates throughout the season, the team has focused its resources on a major aerodynamic package due before the summer break. The upgrade is expected to be substantial and could effectively create a B-spec version of the car.

Honda and Aston Martin hope the combination of chassis and power unit improvements will move the team into midfield contention during the second half of the season.

Despite the disappointing results, Watanabe said Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll remains fully supportive of the partnership: "The partnership with Aston Martin is quite new and I think that it takes time to build a strong partnership.

"We are on the way to build the strong and constructive partnership with Aston Martin. I often communicate with Lawrence Stroll and the honest communication makes our partnership stronger. He strongly believes in Honda's capability.

"Of course, he's not satisfied and I'm not satisfied with the current situation but we discuss often how we can recover the current situation, including the PU performance and the chassis performance and team operation and everything to return to the position where we want."

Honda's leadership have made clear that the project will not be judged solely on its results in 2026: "There is no change in our evaluation or our commitment to HRC or motorsport activities at this stage, Taking the challenge of Formula 1 remains part of Honda's DNA and it has not changed. We have a long-term commitment.

"The Honda management take the current situation very seriously and are not satisfied with the current results. There is a shared understanding that improvement is necessary and at the same time, there is also a clear understanding that the project must be evaluated over the mid-to-long term period, not this year," Watanabe added.

For Honda, the memory of turning around a troubled McLaren partnership and later dominating Formula 1 with Red Bull provides a reminder that recovery is possible. Whether history repeats itself with Aston Martin remains one of the key questions of the 2026 season.