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Honda is creating a global motorsport organisation from the start of the 2024 season by restructuring its Honda Performance Development (HPD) division.
Confirmed:
- HPD to be renamed Honda Racing Corporation US (HRC US)
- HRC US to work more closely with HRC headquarters in Japan to create global entity
- With three US races, HRC US will be heavily involved in power unit development for Aston Martin in 2026
Context:
California-based Honda Performance Development was established in 1993 to manage the Japanese brand’s IndyCar engine programme. With a works partnership signed with the Aston Martin Formula One team for the 2026 season, this restructure will see the two independent arms of Honda combine their expertise to further the manufacturer’s motorsport development, especially with the IndyCar engine team’s experience working with biofuels, a key part of the incoming Formula One regulations.
Comment:
Koji Watanabe, president of HRC Japan, said: “Our goal is to increase the HRC brand and sustain the success of our racing activities and we believe that uniting Honda motorsports globally as one racing organisation will help achieve that. Our race engineers in the US and Japan will be stronger together and I am so happy to welcome our US associates to the HRC team.”
Coming next:
While the focus on developing its Formula One engine programme is obvious, this move also opens up additional opportunities in motorsport. With HPD running Honda’s entry in IMSA, the realignment of the two operations will allow the Japanese manufacturer a much smoother entry into the World Endurance Championship (WEC), with the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans an obvious target for the brand.