Aston Martin concluded their time as a customer team at last weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP, as they prepare to enter 2026 with Honda as their exclusive engine partner.
Despite McLaren’s recent success, the consensus in Formula 1 is that manufacturer teams have a clear advantage over customers. Simply put, being able to control all aspects of a car’s philosophy and how it interacts with the powertrain allows for more creativity – whereas customer teams are constrained by the power unit they are given.
Due to the engine freeze at the beginning of the 2022 regulations, most power units (other than Renault) have been evenly matched in recent years. Next season, however, radical changes are set to create big differences across the suppliers.
This is why Aston Martin were so eager to reach an agreement with Honda for 2026, and is also the cause of great intrigue for how they will perform next year
Honda work to replicate previous title success
The 2026 regulations might be a complete reset, both aerodynamically and from an engine perspective, but one narrative about next year has already persisted for several months.
Mercedes are almost universally expected to have the best engine next season. Drivers, engineers and paddock insiders consistently point toward Toto Wolff’s team as the likely benchmark for 2026 power units.
Whilst this is not a guarantee, several indicators suggest the German manufacturer will be at the front. Having struggled since the beginning of the ground effect era in 2022, the engine department in Brixworth has put great emphasis on the 2026 engine for some time.
Mercedes understand the difference their engine could make this season, and have thus allocated resources accordingly.
Crucially, though, Honda are emerging as the most likely manufacturer to give the Silver Arrows a run for their money. After all, the engineers in Sakura have powered Red Bull to title-winning success for several years.
They also have the benefit of having worked with Adrian Newey previously, in addition to the presence of Andy Cowell.
The former head of Mercedes powertrains (during the height of their dominance) is now front and centre of Honda’s engine development and its integration with the Aston Martin 2026 design.
Speaking in a recent interview, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe spoke about next year’s targets:
“The thing we can’t predict, and is beyond our control, is the status of our competitors. Before we know that, we can’t talk about anything beyond meeting our own internal goals for the season.
“Of course, in the longer term, the ultimate goal of this partnership, and our definition of success, is winning the World Championship.
“It’s very important to take a long-term view of this. Our relationship with Aston Martin Aramco is going beyond a technical collaboration. We are sharing a common vision. There is a lot of passion at the AMR Technology Campus, but also a great deal of quality.
“Pair that with Honda’s development skills and ability to provide winning power units, and we have the potential to be successful in F1. Not just in 2026, but also ’27, ’28 and beyond.”
All systems go at Aston Martin
To some extent, the expectation that Mercedes will be the best engine in 2026 is a process of elimination.
Red Bull Powertrains and Audi are two completely new players in terms of power units, and so are lagging behind the other established manufacturers. Both these departments are working towards being competitive, but toppling a giant like Mercedes could be a step too far.
Ferrari, on paper, have the resources and established infrastructure to push Mercedes with their engines. However, reports this year suggest the Maranello outfit have encountered some stumbling blocks in their development.
Whilst this does not automatically rule out Ferrari, it does cast a shadow on their chances in 2026.
In this context, the sentiment heading into next year is that Honda are most likely to spring a surprise. Reports throughout the year have been relatively positive, even if information has been limited.
Honda would rather go under the radar, so their preference is undoubtedly to avoid any spotlight before the season begins. Still, the factory in Sakura is understood to be working on schedule and meeting its internal targets.
Another important variable is that 2026 will see the introduction of sustainable fuels. Aston Martin’s partner, Aramco, were already supplying Formula 2 cars with sustainable fuel this season – thus offering Honda an edge.
For the time being, Honda will be one of the names to look out for when pre-season testing commences.
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Main photo: Zak Mauger/LAT Images (Aston Martin F1 Media Portal)
