Honda’s new works partnership with the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team has been positioned as a key driver of the sport’s continued growth in Japan by Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali.
The Japanese manufacturer unveiled its RA626H engine at a launch event in Tokyo on Tuesday, marking the formal start of its factory return to F1 as Aston Martin’s exclusive power unit partner under the sport’s new technical regulations.
The launch was attended by senior executives from both organisations, as well as Domenicali, and was framed as a statement of intent around Honda’s long-term commitment to F1 and its importance to the championship’s global growth strategy.
“Formula 1 began racing in Japan in 1976 before moving to Suzuka in 1987, so there is a deep loyalty and connection to the country where a record 13 World Drivers’ Championships have been decided over the years,” Domenicali said.
“The sport is growing in Japan where there are now nearly 17 million passionate and incredible F1 fans. The return of Honda to F1 this year will further boost the potential for the sport here in the Japanese market.”
Honda’s new RA626H power unit will be developed under the 2026 engine regulations, which will see a major reset of F1’s hybrid technology with a roughly equal split between internal combustion and electric power output, alongside the introduction of advanced sustainable fuels.
The new ruleset has been a major factor in attracting manufacturers back to the sport, with Honda committing to a full factory programme following its previous withdrawal at the end of 2021.
The return of Honda to F1 this year will further boost the potential for the sport here in the Japanese market.
Stefano Domenicali
Domenicali said the scale of the regulatory reset has created a compelling platform for manufacturers seeking relevance across both performance and sustainability.
“The exciting next generation of regulations for 2026 is one of the factors that has drawn Honda back to the sport,” he added.
“Those regulations will see both the chassis and PUs updated, in the biggest overhaul in the sport’s history. There will be a simplified hybrid engine that runs on advanced sustainable fuel without impacting the performance.
“F1 echoes the commitment of Honda and Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team to sustainability, and is on target to achieve the goal of Net Zero by 2030 having already delivered a 26% reduction in carbon emissions by year end 2024 compared to 2018.
“F1 welcomes the innovations that are to come and is working with partners such as Honda to push boundaries.”
The partnership represents a shift from Honda’s recent customer supply arrangements, with the Japanese brand now returning as a full works partner integrated into Aston Martin’s chassis and power unit development programme.
Honda President Toshihiro Mibe and Aston Martin Aramco Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll were both on stage for the launch and underlined their shared ambition to compete at the front of the grid under Formula 1’s next technical era.
“Honda’s participation in F1, the pinnacle of automobile racing, has been the embodiment of the spirit of the company founder, Soichiro Honda, who inspired Honda engineers to commit to becoming No.1 in the world and to take on the most difficult challenges,” said Mibe.
“In 2026, F1 will undergo a major change in regulations for both the chassis and power unit. Honda sees F1 as a symbol of challenge and innovation, and HRC, the global racing arm of Honda, has developed the RA626H, the new power unit for the 2026 season, to meet those challenges.
“Striving to become number one in the world, Honda will continue to take on challenges together with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team.”
For F1, the combination of a historic Japanese manufacturer, a high-profile British marque and a rapidly growing domestic fanbase provides a powerful commercial narrative in one of the championship’s most established markets.
With the Aramco Japanese Grand Prix now firmly established as one of the calendar’s flagship events, the Aston Martin-Honda alliance gives F1 a new focal point for fan engagement in the region ahead of the 2026 season.
