Barretto on Honda: 'Aston Martin and Williams contenders too'
General
- GPblog.com
Honda said goodbye to Formula 1 in 2021. They ended their era with a great achievement, winning the world title with Max Verstappen. In 2026, there will be new rules again regarding engines in Formula 1. The FIA announced earlier this year that Honda is also signed up as an engine supplier for 2026.
Honda returns
Honda has stepped down as an engine supplier in Formula 1 before, each time resulting in a return. In 2026, there will be another return, as Honda is also signed up as an engine supplier in 2026. The last return in 2015 started less successfully. They only supplied engines to McLaren, often resulting in a complaining Fernando Alonso over the radio. The engine was too slow and also unreliable.
In 2018, Honda switched from McLaren to the former Toro Rosso team and in 2019 Red Bull Racing followed. This last partnership was successful. Victories were recorded right away in 2019. The highlight was Verstappen's 2021 world title. After the 2021 season, the Japanese manufacturer decided to say goodbye to Formula 1. It is now known that Honda will return as an engine supplier in 2026, the only question is who they will supply the engines to.
McLaren-Honda again?
Formula One presenter Lawrence Barretto mentions several candidates for a partnership with Honda from 2026. "Multiple teams have had informal chats with Honda about a return. Sources say McLaren are one of those squads. Aston Martin and Williams, both currently powered by Mercedes, are also genuine contenders for a Honda link up," said the Briton on Formula1.com. Williams has also worked with the Japanese brand before, this was in the 1980s.