“Multiple teams” have approached Honda about using the power units they have expressed interest in producing for 2026.
However the Japanese manufacturer says it is not yet committed to returning to the series as a manufacturer.
The FIA announced earlier this month Honda is among six power unit manufacturers which have registered interest in building engines for F1’s new generation of rules from 2026. But it remains to be seen which team will use them.
Speaking at a media briefing today, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said the manufacturer is evaluating a return as an F1 engine manufacturer, little more than two years since it last announced it would leave the sport, as it believes the series’ new engine rules for 2026 are in line with Honda’s corporate targets.
“Carbon neutrality is our corporate-wide target at Honda,” Watanabe told media including RaceFans. “So we think that Formula 1’s future direction is in line with our target. That is why that we have decided to register as a manufacturer of a power unit.
“We’re curious about where Formula 1 is going, Formula 1 being the top racing category, and how is that going to look with more electrification happening? We would like to keep a very close eye on that and that is why we have decided to register as a power [unit] manufacturer.”
More than one team has shown an interest in using Honda engines in 2026, said Watanabe. “After we made the registration we have been contacted by multiple Formula 1 teams,” he explained.
“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 were we are.”
Honda did not confirm where its new 2026 power units will be developed. HRC’s executive chief engineer Tetsushi Kakuda indicated their Sakura facility is being used to maintain the current power units, which are frozen in specification.
“We have shifted a great amount of resources to carbon neutrality,” he said. “But in order to operate the other power unit operation work that we have, we do have the necessary manpower here in Sakura.
“The assumption now is that we don’t have to do any new development every year. So if there is any technical development the current team is going to handle it.”
Bringing the F1 news from the source
RaceFans strives to bring its readers news directly from the key players in Formula 1. We are able to do this thanks in part to the generous backing of our RaceFans Supporters.
By contributing £1 per month or £12 per year (or the equivalent in other currencies) you can help cover the costs involved in producing original journalism: Travelling, writing, creating, hosting, contacting and developing.
We have been proudly supported by our readers for over 10 years. If you enjoy our independent coverage, please consider becoming a RaceFans Supporter today. As a bonus, all our Supporters can also browse the site ad-free. Sign up or find out more via the links below:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
