Ahead of the 2026 F1 car livery launch, Aston Martin and Honda Racing unveiled the RA626H power unit for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The presentation marked the first public reveal of a power unit developed under Formula 1’s new 2026 regulations. With this unveiling, Honda officially began a new chapter in Formula 1 as its partnership with Aston Martin commenced.
Honda’s vision for Formula 1’s next-generation power unit era together with Aston Martin F1
Toshihiro Mibe, Director, President, and Representative Executive Officer at Honda Motor, framed Formula 1 as a platform for challenge innovation and positioned it at the heart of Honda’s technological ambition. Under this vision, the Japanese brand developed the RA626H to meet the demands of the 2026 season. With the power unit, Honda pursued the goal of global competitiveness in Formula 1 while entering a new partnership with Aston Martin.
The upcoming regulations reshaped both chassis and power units, with a sharp increase in electrical output and the mandatory use of advanced sustainable fuels. Mibe claimed that Formula 1 is therefore moving towards a next-generation form of motorsport, combining electrification with decarbonisation.
“Honda is positioning F1 as a symbol of challenge and innovation, and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the global racing arm of Honda, developed RA626H, the new PU for the 2026 season. Striving to become No. 1 in the world, Honda will continue to take on challenges together with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.
“In 2026, F1 will undergo a major change in regulations for both the chassis and PU. For the PU, the electrical power output produced by the motor and battery will be increased to roughly three times its current output, and the use of advanced sustainable fuel will be required for the engine. In other words, F1 is evolving into a next-generation motorsport that takes on the challenges of both electrification and decarbonisation.”
A new visual identity for Honda’s motorsport future
Mibe explained that machines powered by the RA626H will carry a newly redesigned H emblem, introduced as the symbol of Honda’s automobile business. The updated mark reflected the brand’s transformation and evolving identity. Honda applied this emblem not only to its Formula One cars but also across its wider motorsport activities.
“Machines powered by the RA626H will bear a new H mark with refreshed design, Honda adopted as the new symbol representing its automobile business. This new H mark symbolizes the transformation of Honda automobile business and will be used for F1 machines as well as Honda machines in various other motorsports.”
Shared values and long-term ambitions behind the new partnership
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, welcomed the launch of the partnership between the Japanese engine manufacturer and the British team as a defining moment for the future. He emphasised the shared values that brought both organisations together from 2026 onwards. Close cooperation between the AMR Technology Centre in Silverstone and Honda Racing Corporation in Sakura illustrated the depth of this relationship.
Stroll expressed strong confidence in the new power unit and the expertise of its engineers. While acknowledging that challenges lay ahead, he underlined that the pursuit of victory drove both companies and shaped their long-term ambitions together.
“I am delighted to celebrate the start of our partnership with Honda here in Tokyo today. Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™️ Team and Honda share many values, and those values have brought us together for 2026 and beyond.
“The strong collaboration between the AMR Technology Centre at Silverstone and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) in Sakura demonstrates the depth of our partnership. We are confident that we have all the elements required to fight for victory in the future and we have tremendous faith in Honda’s Power Unit and the engineers behind it. Our journey won’t always be easy and challenges inevitably lie ahead, but winning is what drives both companies forward and together we look forward to many successful years of partnership.”
