Next year, there will be a major change within the Formula 1 circus. Alongside the debut of the new regulations, two major manufacturers will team up — and they’ve already started to clash: Honda and Aston Martin. The Japanese brand will become the official Power Unit supplier for the Silverstone-based team, but Honda’s leadership wants to set the tone.
Honda and Formula 1 have had a long-standing relationship. The company debuted as a constructor in 1964 and returned, after a long absence, in 2006. That lineup included two high-profile drivers: Rubens Barrichello, fresh off five years with Ferrari, and rising British talent Jenson Button. However, its role as a constructor came to an end just a few years later. In 2008, following serious financial issues, the team was sold and became the now-legendary Brawn GP, which went on to dominate the following season. Honda later returned to the championship in a different role: as a major Power Unit supplier.
Their comeback started with McLaren — a venture that failed badly — then moved on to Red Bull and the current Racing Bulls. From next year, however, Honda will end its partnerships with both the Milton Keynes and Faenza teams and begin a new chapter with Aston Martin. But even before this partnership officially begins, tensions between the two sides are already evident. The Japanese company wants a prominent role in the team’s operations.
“We would like to have a say in the choice of Aston Martin’s 2026 drivers,” Honda HRC president Watanabe told the Japan Times. “There are very few seats available, and of course, we understand that the final decision rests with the team management. I’m simply asking to have a position similar to what we currently have with Red Bull, where we are also able to voice our opinion.”
“We are very proud of the results we’ve achieved over the years with Christian Horner’s team. This year in particular, racing with Yuki Tsunoda — a Japanese driver — is very meaningful to us.”
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