With this season’s title battle entering the final stages, both teams and media outlets are turning their attention to the 2026 regulations. Specifically, there is a growing emphasis on how Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Audi and Red Bull are progressing with engine development.
There is no shortage of analysis on Mercedes, who are almost universally seen as the front-runners in 2026 engine development.
However, the Silver Arrows are not the only established manufacturer working to hit the ground running next year. Honda and Ferrari are no strangers to the F1 circus, and will aim to match the power units produced by Toto Wolff’s team.
In recent weeks, reports suggest that Honda are making great strides – and could potentially be Mercedes’ closest challengers.
Honda not to be underestimated for F1 2026
As previously mentioned on LWOS, Honda are a central element of the Aston Martin F1 project. The Japanese manufacturer’s partnership with Aston puts them in a position to oversee and control all aspects of their development.
No longer reliant on a rival supplier, Lawrence Stroll’s team is under pressure to deliver in 2026. All of the infrastructure and personnel are in place to launch a sustained challenge at the front when the new regulations are implemented.
Another often overlooked factor is Aston’s fuel supplier, Aramco. Having already supplied Formula 2 and Formula 3 with sustainable fuels this season, Aramco are very well-positioned to work with Honda and optimise the new sustainable fuels F1 will introduce next year.
Until now, most of the spotlight on the engine front has centred around Mercedes. With that said, information is now coming out about what some of the other manufacturers are doing.
In his recent COPE interview, Carlos Sainz mentioned that Aston Martin will inevitably be a team to watch out for in 2026 – owing to their partnership with Honda. Aston themselves, meanwhile, have given positive hints about their trajectory behind the scenes.
This sentiment is reinforced in a new report from it.motorsport, which explains that Honda “are not far behind” the early benchmarks.
Ferrari, as mentioned a few months ago, have encountered a few problems with their 2026 engine. The Italian outfit are taking an aggressive approach, meaning the possibility for high reward and high risk must be accepted.
Because of this, Maranello are understood to be facing significant hurdles with their power unit. This is only adding to the uncertainty about Fred Vasseur’s project heading into the new regulations.
Honda, meanwhile, are dark horses for next season. There is a growing sense they could be the biggest threat to Mercedes in the engine department.
More surprises in store
Of course, Audi and Red Bull Powertrains are not to be overlooked. On paper, both engine departments have a lot of catching up to do if they want to genuinely put Mercedes, Honda and Ferrari under pressure.
At the same time, it would be a mistake to underestimate anyone ahead of 2026.
Audi have aggressively recruited engineers and engine technicians from across the field, assembling a strong workforce relatively quickly. Mattia Binotto has been particularly important in recruiting personnel from Ferrari, with the former team principal no stranger to making a leading power unit.
There is a similar story at Red Bull, who have signed dozens of engineers from rival engine departments. Because of this, there is a sense that Laurent Mekies’ team could avoid being left behind.
Returning to the traditional big names, Honda will no doubt prefer to keep a low profile over the winter. However, especially as doubts emerge at Ferrari, they are likely to receive more spotlight as their 2026 prospects brighten.
Main photo: Zak Mauger/LAT Images (Aston Martin media gallery)
