The Japanese manufacturer quit F1 at the end of last year, with its parent company wanting to divert its resources towards zero-emmission technology in road cars.
However, it did not turn its back completely with Red Bull taking over the running of the Honda power units that helped Max Verstappen to the drivers’ championship.
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An arrangement was made for Honda to continue the manufacturing, assembly and support for the engines, with the badges of the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) appearing on the Red Bull and AlphaTauri cars.
Honda’s 2021 title success, and F1’s major push for a carbon neutral future ahead of its switch to new rules and sustainable fuels from 2026, has prompted speculation that the Japanese manufacturer could be poised for a return.
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Such talk was fuelled by a visit last weekend to the Austrian Grand Prix by senior Honda staff, including Honda’s CEO Toshihiro Mibe, its chairman Seiji Kuraishi, plus HRC president Koji Watanabe and its director Yasuaki Asaki.
While the company insists that there has been no formal change of heart about an F1 programme, it has admitted to following closely how the 2026 engine rules are progressing.
Speaking at the Red Bull Ring, Watanabe said: “Formula 1 is the top motorsports category, so we are always watching what is happening in the F1 world.
“Of course, we just finished and concluded our activities, so nothing [has been] discussed within the Honda company about 2026 season. So, no plan.
“[But] it is not a closed door. My understanding is that F1 is discussing to decide the regulations for 2026, and definitely the direction is carbon neutrality.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Erik Junius
“That is the same direction as us, so we don’t have to [diverge] from carbon neutrality through F1 now.
“It is probably also a good opportunity to study carbon neutral F1, so it’s not a closed door.”
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Watanabe said that Honda would need to get its carbon neutral road car programme fully set on course before serious consideration would be given for an F1 return.
Asked by Autosport what the key factors would be for Honda to green light an F1 return, Watanabe said: “I think there are several factors we need to watch.
“But once we decided to conclude the F1 because of mass…
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