(Tokyo, Japan – 26 January 2026) — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. held a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, to officially announce its partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. Under this collaboration, Honda will participate in the FIA*¹ Formula One World Championship (F1) from the 2026 season onward as a power unit (PU) manufacturer and supplier, forming a strategic works partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.

The Significance and Origins of Honda’s Entry into Formula 1

Honda’s involvement in Formula 1 dates back to 1964, coinciding with the company’s entry into the automobile business. At that time, Honda embraced a formidable challenge by stepping onto the world’s most prestigious motorsport stage. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Honda achieved its first-ever Formula 1 victory in just its second year of competition at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix.

From the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, Honda entered a golden era in partnership with legendary teams such as Williams and McLaren. The company has continued to create historic moments, most recently securing the Drivers’ World Championship together with Red Bull Racing—another testament to Honda’s relentless pursuit of speed and automotive innovation.

Participation in Formula 1—the pinnacle of motorsport—embodies the philosophy and spirit of Honda’s founder, Mr. Soichiro Honda, who inspired Honda engineers to “strive to become the world’s best” and to “take on the most difficult challenges.” This unwavering mindset has become a core foundation of Honda’s identity, driving the company to continuously choose the most demanding paths without fear of adversity.

Honda’s Commitment to New Challenges in the New Era of Formula 1

In 2026, Formula 1 will undergo sweeping regulatory changes, encompassing both chassis architecture and power unit regulations. For power units, electrical output from motors and batteries will increase to nearly three times current levels, while internal combustion engines will be required to operate on advanced sustainable fuels designed to significantly reduce environmental impact.

These changes signal Formula 1’s evolution into the motorsport of the future—one that confronts challenges related to electrification and carbon neutrality. Furthermore, under FIA*² cost cap regulations, power unit manufacturers must maximize development efficiency to achieve optimal results while utilizing resources responsibly.

In this new era of Formula 1, Honda views the sport as a symbol of innovation and technological challenge. Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), Honda’s global motorsport arm, has developed the RA626H, a new-generation power unit for the 2026 season, with the goal of achieving world-leading performance. Honda will continue to confront every challenge alongside the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.

² Cost cap regulations are defined by the FIA to limit annual expenditures related to power unit development and manufacturing, with standardized enforcement applied across all competing manufacturers.

Introduction of the New H Mark Logo and the Expansion of HRC Expertise

Race cars equipped with the RA626H power unit will feature Honda’s newly designed H Mark logo, representing the future direction of Honda’s automobile business. This logo will appear on Formula 1 cars as well as Honda race cars across other motorsport series, including IndyCar, Super GT, Super Formula Championship, and Super Taikyu Series.

Honda will also leverage the technologies and expertise accumulated by HRC through Formula 1 and other motorsport competitions to develop HRC-spec vehicles, delivering exceptional driving performance. These efforts will further strengthen Honda’s automobile business by introducing HRC-spec models to the market, including production vehicles derived from concept cars such as the Civic Type R HRC Concept. This approach allows customers to experience Honda’s “joy of driving” and enduring spirit of challenge.

Honda considers Formula 1 not only a global racing platform but also a vital training ground for talent development. Engineers who refine their skills under the intense conditions of top-tier motorsport will apply their expertise to mass-production vehicles, creating products that deliver greater enjoyment and inspiration to customers.

Applying Formula 1 Technology to Power the Future of Mobility

Honda is applying advanced Formula 1 technologies—such as high-efficiency combustion, thermal management, high-rotational-speed engine systems, high-output motors, large turbochargers, and sustainable fuel technologies—not only to next-generation HEV and EV vehicles, but also to future mobility solutions including eVTOL aircraft and aviation engines.

Honda’s expertise in sustainable fuels is being extended to the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and fuels for eVTOL aircraft currently under development. Meanwhile, high-speed rotating component technologies, including turbochargers and motors, are being shared between aviation engineers and Formula 1 power unit development teams, creating synergies that drive innovation both on the racetrack and in the skies.

Honda will use Formula 1 technologies as a foundation to advance innovation across land, sea, air, and space mobility, contributing to propulsion technologies and the realization of a more sustainable society.

The Growing Popularity of Formula 1 and Honda’s Ongoing Commitment

In recent years, supported by television broadcasters, social media content, global streaming platforms, and film, Formula 1’s global fanbase has grown rapidly. In 2025, the sport reached an estimated 827 million fans worldwide. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit recorded its highest attendance since the circuit’s major renovation in 2009, underscoring the sport’s unprecedented momentum and excitement.

From the 2026 season onward, Honda will compete in Formula 1 under its new logo, symbolizing its partnership with Formula 1. Together with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, Honda aims to deliver excitement and ambition in the pursuit of the highest level of global competition, and looks forward to continued support on this new and challenging journey.

Statement by Mr. Stefano Domenicali  President and Chief Executive Officer, Formula 1

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for Formula 1 as Honda and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team come together to compete for the sport’s ultimate prize.

Formula 1 first raced in Japan in 1976 and moved to Suzuka Circuit in 1987, forging a deep and lasting bond with the country. Suzuka has hosted 13 Drivers’ World Championship-deciding races, and today Formula 1 continues to grow in popularity across Japan, with more than 17 million fans nationwide. Last year’s Japanese Grand Prix attracted 266,000 spectators over the race weekend, while domestic broadcast viewership increased by 26% year-on-year.

Globally, Formula 1 now boasts a fanbase of more than 827 million people. A key pillar of our strategy is to engage audiences through culture, entertainment, music, television, and film, driving unprecedented growth that benefits all stakeholders. Formula 1 teams are experiencing strong commercial and brand momentum, attracting major global partners—clear evidence of the sport’s exceptional appeal.

The transformative 2026 regulations, featuring simplified hybrid power units running on sustainable fuels while maintaining outstanding performance, were a major factor in Honda’s decision to return. Formula 1 reflects the shared commitment of Honda and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team to sustainability, as we work toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. In 2024 alone, Formula 1 reduced carbon emissions by 26% compared to 2018. Together, we will continue pushing boundaries and raising standards across motorsport.”

Statement by Mr. Lawrence Stroll Executive Chairman, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

“It is a great honor to be in Japan to celebrate this new partnership. Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team and Honda share closely aligned values, forming a powerful commitment as we look toward the 2026 season and long-term success.

Our new Aston Martin Technology Centre in Silverstone has been completed, featuring a state-of-the-art wind tunnel and an upcoming data center that will further enhance our competitive capabilities. We are relentlessly focused on breaking barriers and achieving future success.

This full works partnership with Honda integrates both chassis and power unit development—an essential strategy in our pursuit of World Championship titles. We are also proud to collaborate with Aramco as our sustainable fuel partner and Valvoline as our lubricant partner for the first time. These strong partnerships are fundamental to our ambitions.

Close collaboration between our UK operations and HRC Sakura in Japan has created a comprehensive and competitive alliance. Our drivers have full confidence in Honda’s power units and engineering team, while the appointment of Andy Cowell as Chief Strategy Officer underscores our unified approach. His world-class expertise will be a key driver of our progress.

We invite Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team fans across Japan to join us on this exciting journey. Together with Honda, we are fully committed to achieving victory and creating new history. Thank you for your continued passion and support.”