Honda to power Aston Martin from 2026

We've known for a few months now that Honda have registered as one of 6 power unit suppliers from 2026 in Formula 1, and now we know who they'll be supplying!

Fernando Alonso in the AMR23 Aston Martin at the 2023 Miami GP

The British based team will be powered by Honda from 2026, making the switch from their current relationship with Mercedes. The team, previously known as Racing Point (Force India before that), has been using Mercedes engines since 2009 and the German engine supplier has been backing them through all the ups and downs the team has gone through. But that relationship is coming to an end in a few years time, as Lawrence Stroll has added to his list of big changes as the ambition for Aston Martin continues to grow.

The Japanese company announced back in 2020 that it would be leaving the sport at the end of 2021. But a company like Honda never truly leaves the sport; they've continued their ties with Red Bull Racing, with Red Bull taking over the Honda engine intellectual property under the new Austrian based company Red Bull Powertrains. While keeping a foot in the door is a good thing, Honda seem to want to maintain a bigger stake in Formula 1, and with rumors of them buying out the Red Bull Racing sister team, AlphaTauri, a step forward supplying the current runner up in the 2023 constructors championship is a sure sign of their determination in this sport.

HRC Logo on the RB18 Red Bull

What does this mean for the driver lineup?

With Lawrence Stroll being the current owner of the Aston Martin F1 team, there's no doubt his son Lance Stroll has his spot on the grid secured. And with the ever astounding accomplishments from the 41 year old 2-time World Champion, Fernando Alonso, it's a pretty sure sight that the team would be keen to keep him on board. Currently the Spaniard's contract with Aston Martin is over at the end of 2024, and with time continuing to tick he will be 43 going on 44 by then and might be eyeing up a happy early retirement, or venturing into other projects outside of Formula 1. Alonso's history with Honda hasn't been the brightest, with the Honda powered McLaren between 2015-17 being one of the worst performing cars on the grid, his hopes for a Honda engine takeover might not be met with his full support initially.

Fernando Alonso on the podium in Bahrain 2023

We'll just have to wait and see what happens, and as we know how silly season goes, anything can happen! But its super exciting to see Honda return back to Formula 1 after their short step back from the sport.