Another well-known Formula 1 team shows interest in collaborating with one of the oldest Spanish drivers on the grid
The possibility of a meeting between Honda and Fernando Alonso 2026 does not seem so far away. Koji Watanabe, president of Honda, has expressed that they have “no objection” to returning to work with the Spanish pilot when he begins his association with Aston Martin. This announcement comes after a turbulent initial period in which Honda and Alonso worked together between 2015 and 2017.
It should be noted that this period turned out to be disappointing for the Japanese engine manufacturer and the McLaren team, which is why they did not achieve good results. At that stage, accumulated more engine penalties than points, including a record 105 grid position penalty at the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix. Alonso strongly criticized Honda during that season’s Japanese Grand Prix, exclaiming “GP2 engine!” being overtaken by Max Verstappen’s Toro Rosso.
Honda and its successful present in Formula 1
Honda later parted ways with McLaren and partnered with Red Bull, first joining their junior team in 2018 and then providing power to the senior team a year later. Today, they are on course for a third consecutive Drivers’ title with the Red Bull-Honda package. This relationship will end in 2025, when Honda aims to supercharge Aston Martin in 2026. The two parties recently confirmed that they had signed what would be a working partnership. A partnership that could see Alonso reunite with Honda.
“The selection of the drivers is a team decision. So, if the team decides that Alonso will be our driver again, we will have no objection to him driving ”, insisted Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation. “We have accelerated our development during our recent time in Formula 1 working with Alonso, and that allowed us to win the World Championship. We respect you a lot. Regarding the selection of drivers, I will not say that we are not going to participate in the team management at all, but the decision of the drivers is up to the team. Of course, we will give you suggestions or contributions.”
Aston Martin CEO supports union
Currently the pilot Fernando Alonso, has a contract with the Aston Martin group until the end of next season, but with four podium finishes from five races, and showing possibly the best form he’s had in years, it’s not inconceivable that he can continue for another year or two. For this reason, the rest of the teams are already prepared to put their options on the table.
Aston Martin Group Performance Technologies CEO Martin Whitmarsh says that does not foresee any problems if Alonso and Honda join again. He said: “He is making a great contribution both on and off the track. Obviously, I spoke to Fernando a while ago about the direction we intended to take. Likewise, it would not be a surprise if the pilot finally decides to take that direction.
