Formula 1
How factory visit helped Aston Martin beat rivals to Honda F1 engine deal
Honda says it received "great" offers from many Formula 1 teams for a 2026 engine deal, but it was Aston Martin’s win at all costs attitude that clinched its deal.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: May 24, 2023, 6:16 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The Japanese manufacturer announced on Wednesday morning that it will be embarking on an exclusive works relationship with Aston Martin from 2026, after its current partnership with Red Bull ends.
The arrangement comes after Honda initially lodged its interest in producing an engine for the 2026 rules last November, without having any clarity on potential partners.
Reflecting on how the negotiations progressed from there, Honda says that several F1 outfits expressed their desire to join forces, before the final decision on what to do was made last month.
Honda’s president and CEO Toshiro Mibe said that numerous approaches were made after the company’s new engine plan was revealed, but Aston Martin quickly emerged as the best option.
“We were approached by so many teams,” he said. “There were many discussions, debating as to whether we really wanted to participate in the 2026 race, and there were great and wonderful offers from various teams.
“But it was in particular Aston Martin's passionate offer, and their determination to win whatever it costs, [that meant] we were very moved. We thought that their vision and passion were very similar to ours.”
Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe revealed that negotiations with Aston Martin began as early as January.
But he says it was a factory visit to the team’s new £200 million Silverstone base earlier this year that rammed home to him why teaming up with the squad was the best option.
“We had discussions with multiple teams in order to figure out the future moving forward,” he explained.
"Through various discussions, we thought that Aston Martin had the strongest passion for winning the championship.
“I was personally honoured to visit the factory physically and see they were making investments on various things, including personnel, and steadily progressing forward.
“They have also given us a high rating for our power unit abilities, so it's not just that Aston Martin needs us. We really wanted to work together with Aston Martin. And that is why we chose Aston Martin.”
Honda with Astion Martin Racing F1 Team
Photo by: Aston Martin Racing
While Aston Martin’s attitude has impressed Honda’s bosses, the team itself remains realistic about the progress it needs to make over the next few years if it is to deliver on victory ambitions with Honda for 2026.
Read Also:
- What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
- Why Honda made a U-turn over its F1 quit plans
- Honda has "no objections" over Alonso despite chequered F1 past
Aston Martin Performance Technologies CEO Martin Whitmarsh said: “We stay humble. We know we have a lot to achieve, and a lot to learn from Honda, and to develop ourselves.
“But in this sport, unless you have a real passion, and desire, and a hunger and determination to win, you will not succeed. We are at the pinnacle of motorsport worldwide.
“It's extremely competitive. But we have an absolute determination, Lawrence [Stroll], myself and all the other team members, we are here to win. And that's the exciting thing.
“We see that same passion and relentless drive in Honda as well, they are winners. And that's why we were tremendously attracted to this opportunity.
“So, we've set ourselves a target, to win in 2026, and then to win consistently thereafter. It's a real tough battle to do that. But I think we are very determined to be very competitive.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Red Bull decides against AlphaTauri F1 sale as it finalises plans
Next article Brown would welcome new F1 Concorde Agreement "sooner rather than later"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Catching Larson in the NASCAR Chase has to start at track where 'I suck'
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
41 min
Catching Larson in the NASCAR Chase has to start at track where 'I suck'
Verstappen charges from 24th to ninth as GetSpeed wins Portimao GTWC finale
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h
Verstappen charges from 24th to ninth as GetSpeed wins Portimao GTWC finale
Colton Herta “maybe underestimated the difference” from IndyCar – F2 boss
FIA F2
F2 FIA F2 5 h
Colton Herta “maybe underestimated the difference” from IndyCar – F2 boss
WEC Barcelona: Genesis secures maiden series pole from Toyota
WEC
WEC WEC
Barcelona
6 h
WEC Barcelona: Genesis secures maiden series pole from Toyota
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe