Honda Racing Corporation admits 2026 F1 return failed to meet goals

Koji Watanabe, the outgoing president and CEO of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), has stated that the manufacturer’s return to Formula 1 in 2026 has deeply wounded the company’s pride. Watanabe, who is set to step down on January 1, admitted that the company failed to meet the ambitious internal goals it had established for its partnership with Aston Martin under the new technical regulations.

Watanabe clarified that Honda did not intentionally set modest targets for the season; rather, the performance requirements for the new power units exceeded what could be achieved by extending previous development paths. While Honda faces these technical challenges, Aston Martin officials noted signs of evolution in recent performances and expressed optimism that upcoming circuits might better suit the current car configuration.