Honda has admitted it is “glad” to be reviving the marque’s Formula 1 partnership with Fernando Alonso when it powers Aston Martin from the 2026 season onwards.
Aston Martin announced earlier this week that Alonso had signed a multi-term extension to remain with the British outfit, bringing an end to speculation over his future.
The specified length of Alonso’s contract with Aston Martin ensures that he will step into F1’s regulation overhaul when Honda switches to be a supplier to the squad.
Alonso endured a tense relationship with Honda in the three seasons it powered McLaren from 2015, branding its power unit a ‘GP2 engine’ at the Japanese Grand Prix.
But although that could have placed a permanent strain on relations between the parties, Honda insists that past events with the Spaniard are water under the bridge.
Honda’s incognito power unit has helped Red Bull be title-winners, Aston Martin is a team on the up and Alonso is an evergreen F1 driver showing no signs of slowing.
“When I worked with him from 2015 to 2017, it was a very difficult situation for both Honda and the team,” Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe told Autosport.
“It was a particularly frustrating period in our history, and there were times when our relationship was strained.
“But, I think we have become stronger because we overcame that frustration. Alonso has also been very active since then.
“I’m glad that we can overcome that painful experience together and fight together for victory once again. I hope that we can aim for the championship together and win together.”
Aston Martin signed its power unit deal with Honda last season, hoping to steal a march on its rivals as it progresses from being a customer reliant on Mercedes parts.
But until this week, it had remained in the balance whether the two-time World Champion would elect to race elsewhere in F1 or even choose to retire from the sport.
Even so, a positive relationship with Watanabe and Honda was being forged and the manufacturer had been hopeful that Alonso would renew terms with Aston Martin.
“I spoke with him in Las Vegas,” Watanabe added. “At the time, he hadn’t decided on his next contract yet.
“But Alonso came when we were talking with Mike Krack [Aston Martin boss]. He said: ‘Good luck’ and ‘If we have a chance, let’s race together.’ We just spoke a few words.”
Alonso’s contract extension undoubtedly raised questions regarding the Spaniard’s past with Honda, but he insisted that not only is reuniting with the marque “a true pleasure“.
“Part of the decision to stay at Aston is because they are with Honda for 2026,” he said.
“They’ve been World Champion for the last few years [with Red Bull]. So I think they will have a baseline for 2026 that is already very strong.”
The positive feeling is certainly mutual as Watanabe said Alonso’s talent meant his name was always high on Honda’s driver wishlist for 2026.
“We had many conversations with Aston Martin regarding our partnership starting in 2026,” said Watanabe.
“During that time, we exchanged opinions about drivers too and we shared an understanding between us and Aston Martin that Alonso was definitely a top-class driver.
“Aston Martin asked us if there would be any problems from Honda if they extended Alonso’s contract. The situation was shared at various stages.
“But Honda did not make any requests regarding this matter. In any case, we should naturally discuss what kind of driver line-up we need to win, and it was in this context that the team decided to extend Alonso’s contract.”
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