All indications suggest Aston Martin will spend 2025 in the midfield – with previous mistakes preventing them from keeping up with the top four. However, the excitement surrounding the Silverstone project is almost entirely predicated on the 2026 regulations.
Alongside key figures like Adrian Newey, the Honda power unit is at the centre of the team’s aspirations.
Until now, intense speculation has surrounded the Japanese manufacturer’s 2026 progress.
Amidst this uncertainty, Honda continue to work diligently on their targets – which are said to be very high.
Honda: Challenges and advantages heading into 2026
A combination of established manufacturers (Honda, Mercedes, Ferrari) and new players (Red Bull Powertrains, Audi) will define the next era of Formula 1.
On paper, there is every reason for Honda to produce one of the strongest engines for the new regulations.
Alongside Mercedes and Ferrari, they are expected to set the standard in 2026.
Honda have modern infrastructure, significant experience, and a workforce with the necessary size and skill to perform at the highest level.
Despite this, a several factors have created doubts about their progress on the new power units.
The most fundamental question marks at Honda stem from their initial trepidations about committing to the upcoming regulations.
In thee aftermath of Verstappen’s first title in 2021, the Japanese manufacturer was set to leave Formula 1 by 2026.
This is what prompted Red Bull to make their own power unit department in the first place.
A few years later, Honda changed their minds – culminating in their engine agreement with Aston Martin.
However, this deal, signed in 2023, put Honda sightly on the backfoot. Their indecisiveness created needless delays, which they have spent the last few years trying to rectify.
This sequence of events has created a degree of uncertainty regarding Aston Martin’s prospects in 2026.
Despite having all the pieces of the puzzle (New facilities, a Honda engine deal and Adrian Newey) there isn’t much time to put them together.
Still, this does not mean the Silverstone-based outfit cannot make up for lost time.
Ambitious targets, Honda pushing the limits
In late January, quotes emerged from Honda that caused concern about their engine development.
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing, explained that Honda were experiencing struggles in their 2026 project.
These comments added to the concerns that were already surrounding this Championship-winning manufacturer.
However, it should be noted that Watanabe – whilst speaking candidly about the obstacles ahead – was not implying that other engines were in a better position.
Instead, the 61-year-old was outlining the general difficulties of mastering the 2026 engines.
His commentary was not specifically targeted at Honda, but instead a general analysis of the new regulations.
Not only will F1 have new power units, but new sustainable fuels will also be in play. This gives the likes of Honda a very complex equation to overcome.
Crucially, though, Honda are understood to be in a good place with their development.
As reported by The Race, Honda’s base in Sakura, Japan, is working towards ambitious targets for 2026.
Because of this, Watanabe’s quotes about the challenges Honda face should not be a cause of alarm.
Pushing the limits is never easy, but taking a high-risk approach often makes the difference with a fresh set of regulations.
Not only are Honda striving to be competitive, but they are pushing to lead the way.
A clash of the titans
There is diverging opinion about to what degree the 2026 engines will determine the pecking order.
What is not up for debate, however, is they will be far more consequential than they have been since 2022.
Reports are already intensifying about the Mercedes engine, which is expected to be near the front in twelve months time.
The German manufacturer has dominated regulation changes before. They intend to do so again.
Honda, given their resources and recent title success, plan to interrupt the aspirations of Toto Wolff’s team.
Whilst nothing is certain at this stage, Honda should not be written off for 2026. Despite suffering some set-backs, they are undoubtedly capable of being the benchmark once again.
Andy Cowell, their new team principal, was himself instrumental to Mercedes dominating the sport in 2014.
His experience will be invaluable in organising Aston Martin and Honda’s resources. Cowell is arguably more qualified than anyone to ensure this new partnership is an effective one.
