Honda has announced that it is planning to prolong the development of its V6 turbo-hybrid Formula 1 engine for next season’s regulations until the “very last moment”.
The Japanese marque is making a complete return to F1 in 2026 with Aston Martin in a deal which will see it provide a power unit to the team in an exclusive partnership.
Honda has held a presence in the sport since an initial decision to pull out in 2021, helping Red Bull Powertrains to house the engine that it had developed prior to then.
However, Honda’s U-turn came late in the 2026 tender process, ensuring a reunion with Red Bull was not on the cards as the Austrian squad committed to its own venture.
Having admitted it was encountering difficulties with the revamped engine formula, Honda is striving to work up until the deadline to deliver Aston Martin a strong package.
Tetushi Kakuda, who is leading Honda Racing Corporation’s F1 endeavours, has explained the reasons behind what appears to be a risk-laden decision.
“We are aiming to submit the homologation in February next year – since we had a slightly late start, we want to push forward until the very last moment,” he told Autosport.
“It’s difficult to say exactly what percentage of progress we have made, but I believe we have reached a considerable stage.”
The crux of the engine development for 2026 revolves around more equality between the use of the internal combustion engine and the electrical systems, with around 450bhp of the 1000bph powertrain coming from the electric motor.
Kakuda explained further the work that is going into these changes, stating: “Regarding how we handle high-speed combustion, fuel-related factors also come into play.
“The environment is changing drastically, and things will not work the same way as before.
“However, for a gasoline engine, the eternal goal is to burn fuel as quickly as possible. We are currently building an environment to achieve something similar.”
Honda to pass baton of maintenance to new UK base
HRC has divided development at its bases in Sakura and California, and will then hand its maintenance and operations over to its UK base in Milton Keynes.
Kakuda added: “There are key timing points when both parties must finalise major components for homologation.
“We are coordinating with them, discussing when we each want to make our final decisions, and setting the schedule accordingly.”
Honda will also have a familiar face to work with in the shape of Adrian Newey, Aston Martin’s new Managing Technical Partner.
The famed technical guru began his tenure with the Silverstone-based squad this week, having completed his period of gardening leave from Red Bull.
READ MORE – Aston Martin reveals where Adrian Newey’s focus will lie as F1 designer begins role
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