Aston Martin ditch Mercedes to pair with ‘global titan’ Honda

Aston Martin have announced Honda will replace Mercedes as their power-unit provider from 2026. The Japanese manufacturer is making a stunning full-time return to the sport after parting ways with Red Bull.

Honda left F1 at the end of the 2021 season but they still enjoy a working relationship supplying power-units to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. However, Red Bull’s decision to start their own proteins division alongside Ford means Honda was free to sign up with a new squad. 

Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll stressed Honda was “incredibly impressive” and had a history of success. He explained: “We share a mutual drive, determination, and relentless ambition to succeed on track. 

“Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive.” It comes just hours after it emerged Aston Martin would be ditching Mercedes as their power unit provider for 2026. 

But, the Silver Arrows will continue to provide parts to the team until the end of 2025. Honda’s return to the top-flight of motorsport comes after the FIA introduced new engine regulations.

The manufacturer was understood to have been won over by the sport’s aim for 100 per cent sustainable fuels and a focus on electrical power for 2026. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the new efficiency of the championship helped nudge the deal over the line. 

He commented: “One of the key reasons for our decision to take up the new challenge in F1 is that the world’s pinnacle form of racing is striving to become a sustainable racing series, which is in line with the direction Honda is aiming toward carbon neutrality, and it will become a platform which will facilitate the development of our electrification technologies.

“Honda is a company that has a history of growing by taking on challenges and winning world-class races.” But, things could get awkward for Fernando Alonso who criticised Honda when he drove for McLaren. 

The Spaniard repeatedly slammed the team’s lack of performance and even claimed his car was running like a GP2 car. In 2017, he suggested he had “never raced with less power in my life” and even called out the manufacturer’s reliability woes.