In the constantly evolving landscape of Formula 1, particularly in anticipation of the major regulation changes coming in 2026, Honda has taken a firm and definitive stance: there will be no return to its former partnership with Red Bull Racing, even if the upcoming collaboration between the Milton Keynes-based team and the American automotive giant Ford proves unsuccessful. This clear message was conveyed unequivocally by Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), who sought to dispel any lingering rumors circulating in the paddock.
In an interview granted to the Japanese motorsport portal Auto Sport Web, Koji Watanabe categorically ruled out any possibility of technical reconciliation between Honda and Red Bull Racing, even in the event that the new Ford-Red Bull Powertrains partnership turns out to be a failure. He stated firmly: “Even if we were approached today, it would already be too late to be ready in time for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The chances are zero.”
This declaration confirms that the 2025 Formula 1 season will officially mark the end of the collaboration between Red Bull and the Honda-derived power units that have powered the team’s recent championship successes. Starting from 2026, when the new engine regulations will come into effect, a completely new chapter will begin for the reigning World Constructors’ Champions, as they embark on a new technical venture in partnership with Ford for the development of next-generation Formula 1 hybrid power units.
Although ambitious, the Ford-Red Bull project has not yet fully convinced observers within the paddock. According to various insiders, some of the internal turbulence within the team—including, potentially, the dismissal of team principal Christian Horner—could be connected to the uncertainty surrounding this new engine direction.
Christian Horner himself, former Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, acknowledged the scale of the engineering and logistical challenge that lies ahead for the team’s technical division. In a recent interview, Horner remarked that “it would be embarrassing to beat Mercedes right away,” a comment that seemed to underscore how bumpy and difficult the upcoming transition period might be for Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Ford has been quick to deny that its commitment to Formula 1 is in any way conditional upon the continued presence of Max Verstappen within the Red Bull team. The Dutch driver, a three-time Formula 1 World Champion and a central figure in the dominant Red Bull-Honda era, has been repeatedly linked to the stability and long-term direction of the team. Ford’s clarification was essential in reaffirming its genuine long-term interest in the project, independent of any one individual.
On the other hand, Honda is pressing ahead decisively with its new Formula 1 future alongside the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. The agreement between the Japanese manufacturer and the Silverstone-based team—scheduled to become operational in 2026—is already in an advanced development stage. Joint testing activities have already begun in both the United Kingdom and Japan, with a carefully structured plan that alternates test sessions between the two locations to avoid scheduling conflicts and maximize efficiency.
“We have started testing the latest components independently in both countries,” Koji Watanabe confirmed. “When we conduct our work in Japan, the tests happen exclusively there. The same goes for the United Kingdom.”
In addition to the purely technical aspects, the joint effort also includes a strong focus on organizational and human integration. Engineers from both Honda and Aston Martin are working side by side during the testing sessions, aiming to build a collaborative synergy considered vital to successfully face the radical regulatory overhaul scheduled for 2026.
According to statements from the Honda Racing Corporation president, development on the gearbox is also progressing steadily and approaching its final design: “The transmissions developed by Aston Martin are getting closer and closer to their final specifications, and we will continue to test them intensively in the coming months.”
With each team now charting its own course for the next era of Formula 1, the 2026 grid is slowly taking shape, defined by bold strategic choices and new technical alliances. One thing, however, is beyond any doubt: Honda has definitively chosen its path forward—and there will be no turning back.
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