Fernando Alonso says he’s eager to work with Honda again in 2026 after extending his deal to drive for Aston Martin.
The team signed a power unit supply deal with the manufacturer last year, beginning when Formula 1’s new power unit regulations arrive in two years’ time. Alonso’s new contract means he will drive the Aston Martin-Honda in 2026.
Alonso said he spoke with Honda’s management before agreeing his new deal and is keen to work with them again.
“I saw them, not in Suzuka [last week], a few months ago,” he said in response to a question from RaceFans. “I have great, great love for Japan and for the things that they do there.
“I think the level of discipline and the level of commitment that they have is just in another level generally in Japan. But it translates to Honda. I worked with Toyota as well in the endurance championship and I’m very familiar with that kind of discipline.
“I think 2026 we are going into the unknown for sure in terms of regulations. But if I had to choose one, my feeling that I would choose our project and our engine and our power unit. One, because I think they are dominating the sport, as I said now, and they have a very, very strong engine on Red Bull and AlphaTauri [RB]. And second, because with the new fuels and the new regulations, they will have all the tools available to succeed.”
Alonso’s previous experience with Honda was not positive and is often remembered for his criticism of their “GP2 engine” on his radio during the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix. He joined McLaren that year, attracted by the prospect of using Honda’s power units when they last return to F1. However they endured three uncompetitive seasons which ended when McLaren cut short their contract.
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Honda went on to enjoy success with Red Bull, power Max Verstappen to the last three drivers’ championships. Alonso is hopeful they can be as competitive again in 2026.
“Honda is definitely a manufacturer that has so much success in Formula 1, and not just Formula 1, in the world of motorsport,” he said. “It is always a company that I respected.
“It didn’t work for us at McLaren, in the years that they came back to the sport, but right after that they fixed all the problems and they are currently dominating the sport. They’ve been world champions for the last few…
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