- Honda pulled out of F1 at the end of 2021
- One of six engine manufacturers committed to 2026
- Will offer engine support to Red Bull until 2025
Honda is eyeing a return to Formula One to coincide with the introduction of the 2026 engine regulations.
The Japanese auto manufacturer pulled out of the series at the end of the 2021 season, but will support Red Bull with its power units until 2025.
With Red Bull partnering with Ford from 2026, it leaves Honda without a team to supply. However, the company's name was on the final list of proposed engine manufacturers for 2026 released by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
“For the time being, we would like to keep a close eye on where F1 is going and just see how things go,” said Honda president Koji Watanabe, as reported by the BBC. “We don't have any concrete decisions on whether we will be going back.”
Formula One's shift to carbon neutrality has made it a lot more interesting to manufacturers, hence Honda's decision to go back on leaving the series.
Only Aston Martin, Haas, McLaren and Williams would be available for a potential partnership from 2026 due to the other teams being committed to their own engine projects. Reports have suggested that contact has already been made with McLaren, which would mean revisiting the unsuccessful tie-up from between 2015 and 2017.
However, this is a very different Honda operation, having taken Max Verstappen to consecutive world titles with Red Bull. Therefore, a Honda engine supply deal is likely to be coveted.