Honda evaluates returning to supply engines for Formula 1 in 2026
The Honda Racing Corporation is seriously considering resuming its role in the top tier of motorsport. Its president, Koji Watanabe, has publicly stated that there are internal debates about supplying power units again when the new technical regulations come into effect. 🏎️
The 2026 regulations: a catalyst for the return
The factor most attractive to the Japanese firm is the rule change planned for 2026. This new framework promotes a greater proportion of electrical energy and mandates the use of 100% sustainable synthetic fuels. For Honda, this represents an ideal opportunity to develop and test cutting-edge electrification technologies that can later be applied to its production cars. This flow of knowledge justifies the enormous investment required to compete.
Key points of the new era:- Greater emphasis on the electric component of the hybrid system.
- Exclusive use of zero-emission synthetic fuels.
- A platform for transferring innovation from the track to the road.
"Sustainability and electrification are central to our strategy. The 2026 F1 can be the perfect testing ground." - Internal reflection at Honda.
A legacy of success and possible future alliances
Although Honda officially withdrew as a constructor at the end of 2021, its engine continued to win races and championships with Red Bull. This recent success under the Red Bull Powertrains brand proves that its technology remains highly competitive. An eventual return would not involve creating its own team, but rather seeking a collaboration with a team that needs a partner for the new era.
Possible scenarios for Honda:- Become the official engine supplier for an existing team.
- Form a technical alliance similar to the one it had with Red Bull.
- Avoid the enormous investment and logistics of operating a full team.
Preparations have already begun
While the management makes a final decision, rumors suggest that activity at the Sakura technical headquarters has increased. Some engineers, with a touch of irony, comment that they are only "optimizing the air conditioning" in case the heat of designing F1 engines returns soon. This atmosphere indicates that the company is positioning itself to act quickly if it finally gives the green light to an exciting return to the grid. 🔧