As 2026 F1 regulations will boost electrical power by three times, Honda enters F1 with a new partner. Honda will hone its e-motor and battery technologies through new F1 challenges and feed them back to mass production.
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Today, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to participate in the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) in the 2026 season as a power unit supplier. Honda has agreed to enter into a works partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team to supply power units compliant with the new F1 power unit regulations, which will take effect in the 2026 season.
In pursuit of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, starting from the 2026 season, F1 will implement new regulations with an engine/electric motor maximum power output ratio of 50/50. This will represent a significant increase in the deployment of electrical power compared to the current ratio*2, while a 100% sustainable fuel is also required.
Specifically, the 2026 regulations require a reduction of engine output while tripling the energy recovery system’s (ERS) output, which recovers kinetic energy under certain situations, such as braking, and converts it into electrical energy. This will result in roughly equal power output between the engine and motor.
These changes in F1 power unit regulations are consistent with Honda has a direction toward realising carbon neutrality. Working with these regulations will have profound significance in providing Honda with important opportunities to pursue the development of future technologies in that direction. Based on this belief, Honda made the decision to take on a new challenge in F1 racing.
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The Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), responsible for auto and motorcycle motorsports activities since 2022, will be responsible for developing power units, race participation and managing F1 racing.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team, commented:
I welcome Honda and HRC to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team. We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on the track. Honda is a global titan whose success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive. I want to thank Mr Mibe, Mr Watanabe, and the whole team at HRC as we embark on this exciting future together in 2026.
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, added:
Amid major changes in our business and the motorsports environment leading toward the transition to a carbon-neutral society, we have re-established HRC as an optimal platform to sustain and further evolve motorsport activities as a Honda strength. We will establish sustainable operational structures for our racing activities and continue to deliver more dreams and excitement for motorsports fans worldwide.
Martin Whitmarsh, Group CEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, continued:
I have been fortunate in my career to work with Honda over the years, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with HRC and the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team from 2026. The new 2026 F1 power unit regulations are a huge and important change that we are confident we can navigate successfully together. Jointly with our strategic partner Aramco, we can look forward to open collaboration towards a common goal. Our future works partnership with Honda is one of the last parts of the jigsaw puzzle slotting into place for Aston Martin’s ambitious plans in Formula One. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to our current power unit supplier, who we will continue to partner with for the next few seasons.
