“Multiple teams” have approached Honda about using the power units they have expressed interest in producing for 2026.
However the Japanese manufacturer says it is not yet committed to returning to the series as a manufacturer.The FIA announced earlier this month Honda is among six power unit manufacturers which have registered interest in building engines for F1’s new generation of rules from 2026. But it remains to be seen which team will use them.
Speaking at a media briefing today, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said the manufacturer is evaluating a return as an F1 engine manufacturer, little more than two years since it last announced it would leave the sport, as it believes the series’ new engine rules for 2026 are in line with Honda’s corporate targets.
“Carbon neutrality is our corporate-wide target at Honda,” Watanabe told media including RaceFans. “So we think that Formula 1’s future direction is in line with our target. That is why that we have decided to register as a manufacturer of a power unit.
“We’re curious about where Formula 1 is going, Formula 1 being the top racing category, and how is that going to look with more electrification happening? We would like to keep a very close eye on that and that is why we have decided to register as a power [unit] manufacturer.”
More than one team has shown an interest in using Honda engines in 2026, said Watanabe. “After we made the registration we have been contacted by multiple Formula 1 teams,” he explained.
“For the time being we would like to keep a close eye on where Formula 1 is going and just see how things go. For now, we don’t have any concrete decisions on whether or not we will be going back to joining Formula 1.
“But from the perspective of technological development, we think that being part of Formula 1 is going to help us with technological development. So that is were we are.”
Honda did not confirm where its new 2026 power units will be developed. HRC’s executive chief engineer Tetsushi Kakuda indicated their Sakura facility is being used to maintain the current power units, which are frozen in specification.
“We have shifted a great amount of resources to carbon neutrality,” he said. “But in order to operate the other power unit operation work that we have, we do have the necessary manpower here in Sakura.
“The assumption now is that we don’t have to do any new development every year. So if there is any technical development the current team is going to handle it.”
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David
20th February 2023, 18:39
OK so I’m really struggling to get my head around this now. Please someone explain…
1. Honda came into F1 for the current set of rules.
2. Then they pulled out at the end of 2021. Naturally, their engine then won the world title.
3. An HRC branded engine then won the 2022 title.
4. Meanwhile the engine manufacturing (?) is being transferred to Red Bull Powertrains (in the UK?)
5. And Honda are putting their name on the Red Bull again in 2023.
6. But in 2026 Red Bull Powertrains (using Honda’s old resources) will build a new engine with the Ford brand (and perhaps licensed to others)
7. And now Honda are thinking about an all-new engine programme for 2026
Seriously, why didn’t Honda’s board have a bit more clarity of thought in 2021? This seems like the most inefficient way of building F1 engines that you can imagine, and will end up costing far more than what they thought they were “saving” by cutting the programme that was powering the future world champion!
Darryn Smith (@darryn)
20th February 2023, 23:13
2. Merc won the title that year.
Yaru (@yaru)
21st February 2023, 15:11
Unlucky to some extent sure but also their lack of commitment also punished then in some of those cases. You can’t just dip in and out like that to only want the good times.
Yaru (@yaru)
21st February 2023, 15:12
Sorry, placed comment in wrong place.
GeeMac (@geemac)
21st February 2023, 5:04
@david The way I recall it was this (my bits are in brackets):
1. Honda came into F1 for the current set of rules (a year late).
2. Then they pulled out at the end of 2021. Naturally, their engine then won the (drivers) world title (that season).
3. (A Red Bull Powertrains branded engine which was maintained by) HRC then won (both of) the 2022 title(s).
4. (Deleted)
5. And Honda are putting their name on the Red Bull again in 2023 (alongside Red Bull – it will be an RBPT-Honda engine).
6. But in 2026 Red Bull Powertrains (deleted) will build a new engine (itself in its new RBPT facility in Milton Keynes with Ford providing input into the hybrid side of the package) with the (engine using the) Ford brand (deleted).
(7. Honda need to decide whether they are going to tool Sakura back up to be able to build engines for the 2026 engine formula and which team they are going to partner with).
So yeah…it is a typically Honda mess.
7. And now Honda are thinking about an all-new engine programme for 2026
Rascasse
20th February 2023, 22:58
Red Bull Powertrains was originally for maintaining the existing Honda units until ’26 as per an agreement with Honda. However, Honda had a soft about-turn and decided to support the engines themselves until ’26, however they are branded (HRC, RBPT-Honda…).
Meanwhile, RBPT are developing their own power unit for the ’26 regulation cycle and this will be branded Ford. Nothing to do with the Honda unit, all the IP for the current units remains with Honda.
Mark in Florida
21st February 2023, 2:07
Honda must be the unluckiest manufacturer in F1. They announce in 2008 that they are leaving F1 and sell the team to Ross Brawn. He wins both titles using Hondas car with a Merc motor in 09.
Then Honda comes back to supply RedBull with motors after the McLaren debacle. Then they pull out again in 2021. RedBull subsequently wins in 22 and 23. They are the Alonsos of F1 manufacturers just a constant string of bad decisions. They would be better off racing in WEC or IMSA if they want to be so carbon neutral. They could have supported Andretti as an engine supplier or full team partnership since they already supply him engines in Indy racing. But instead they let GM get it. They just have no luck.
Yaru (@yaru)
21st February 2023, 15:11
Unlucky to some extent sure but also their lack of commitment also punished then in some of those cases. You can’t just dip in and out like that to only want the good times.
GeeMac (@geemac)
21st February 2023, 4:58
Williams-Honda. Make it so…please, please, please make it so.
Love,
A long-suffering Williams fan.
Yaru (@yaru)
21st February 2023, 15:13
There’s no guerentee they would be good like their current engine used by RB. Honda didn’t start the hybrid era well either and they haven’t even committed to 2026 yet while others have probably started in their engine work.
Mayrton
21st February 2023, 12:34
The ideal combination must be McLaren Honda with in it (a last season) Alonso.