Formula 1 welcomes a bold, new partnership in the form of Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team and Honda Racing for the 2026 season, and Andy Cowell was in Japan to discuss it.
The Japanese outfit has officially joined the team as its new power unit supplier, unveiling the RA626H at a launch event in Tokyo on January 20, 2026. The launch marks a milestone for Aston Martin as it prepares to tackle a season defined by major technical overhauls with aplomb.
Speaking at the launch, former Team Principal and now Chief Strategy Officer Andy Cowell discussed the sweeping changes and the exciting prospects for the upcoming season. Rather than expressing concern, the engineer emphasised the opportunities these new cars present for teams and viewers alike.
“I think that the technology that’s been introduced in 2026, the power unit technology, but also the aerodynamics of the car are completely different. And so we’re going to see a more exciting racing event. It’s new.”
Andy Cowell on the uncertainty Aston Martin and other teams are facing ahead of the 2026 F1 season
Cowell shared that the updates in technology and even the aerodynamics of the car have all eleven teams on the grid approaching the situation differently, since it gives them the rare opportunity to start over.
“All 11 teams are approaching it differently,” he said.
Every team faces a common challenge: the concern that another team’s performance may overshadow their own results. Cowell expressed this feeling, saying, “All being anxious at the moment as to whether somebody’s come up with a smart idea that outwits the rest.”
The real test in Melbourne, China and Japan
While testing gives teams a preview of what they’re dealing with, it’s obviously not the full picture that mirrors an actual racing environment, especially in terms of energy disposal. Another key question everyone wonders is: “How do you use the energy?”
It’s during race weekends that teams face real challenges. This new era brings a lot of questions, as Cowell noted while referencing the season opener in Melbourne and looking ahead to the third round, the Japanese Grand Prix.
“Just the third race in Japan, there’s going to be so much variability. So watch closely, see how it unfolds, see how different teams develop through the season.”
The dilemma around management
Managing active wings and energy will be a key challenge for Aston Martin-Honda this season. Teams must decide when to prioritise speed through high-downforce corners versus saving energy on straights, and how to balance that with tyre wear and qualifying performance.
Cowell explained that optimising this balance isn’t straightforward; it’s not just about building a fast car, but about deciding how and when to deploy its systems during a race weekend. He shared a wide array of scenarios that raise multiple questions based on the changes.
“How do you manage the active front wing as well as the rear wing? So for us in the team and for Honda developing the power unit, we’re working exceptionally hard to come up with an efficient race car. But how are we going to use that in qualifying? How are we going to use that on race day? How is it going to be used through the strategy of a race? That’s something that we’ve been thinking about.”
Despite all of these questions, he ended the statement on a high note, implying that all of these questions will be answered, alluding to the team’s livery launch on February 9th.
Andy Cowell also discussed the possibility of a very exciting start to the 2026 F1 season. Aston Martin finished only P7 in the Constructors’ Championship last season.
“I think this is going to be one of the most exciting starts to a championship that we’ve seen in the last 10–20 years.”
