Aston Martin and Honda are ambitious about their F1 goals, with the 2026 season marking the first test of their partnership. The Japanese manufacturer has demonstrated it is capable of producing the best engines in Formula 1. Lawrence Stroll’s team, meanwhile, has progressed rapidly. Its investment into new facilities (including a wind tunnel and campuses) is evidence of its ambitions.
In many ways, Honda is the last piece of the puzzle for Aston Martin. Honda will allow the British outfit to have complete control over its performance — something it has not experienced previously as a customer team. Honda has also announced the construction of a facility in Silverstone, minimising the potential for logistical difficulties in 2026.
However, even when all the ingredients for success are in place, success is not guaranteed. With several manufacturers set to compete in two years’ time, there are many big players aiming to secure major honours.
ASTON MARTIN AND HONDA ARE HONEST ABOUT 2026 CHALLENGES
Speaking in an interview with motorsport.com, Koji Watanabe (president of Honda Racing Corporation) outlined the team’s ambitions:
“To become world champions from 2026 onwards. We know that it will be very difficult, and it is not so easy. But we need some good targets to put in our best effort together with Aston Martin.
“So that’s why… we set the target to aim for the World Championship in that year. In reality, it is not so easy.”
When discussing the probability of fighting for the title, Watanabe outlined what weaknesses need to be addressed:
“Probably we’re missing something [currently]. But we have to tell each other what is missing…
“That is an honest conversation to become a top-class team together.”
Of course, ambitious projects do not always produce results. Honda is well aware of this, as demonstrated by their relatively conservative comments regarding 2026.
However, there is no denying that Aston Martin is an altogether different prospect with Honda’s backing. Even before their partnership officially commences, the next two years are an opportunity for Aston to fight consistently at the sharp end of the field.
Securing more podium finishes before the 2026 regulations will help cement the Silverstone outfit’s status as a front-runner. In the short and medium term, this can only be positive for Lawrence Stroll’s personnel.
