Aston Martin are reportedly set to end their relationship with Mercedes for the new power unit regulations in 2026, with the Silverstone-based team to make an announcement potentially as soon as this week at the Monaco Grand Prix.
According to Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Aston Martin are set to be supplied with power units from Honda from 2026 onwards, with the Japanese manufacturer having confirmed their intent on remaining in the sport beyond the end of their partnership with Red Bull.
Honda’s deal with Red Bull is set to expire at the end of 2025, with the manufacturer to then supply Aston Martin with their engines.
It will mean that the Silverstone-based side’s relationship with Mercedes will come to an end after 17 years, with the German manufacturer having supplied Aston Martin with power units from 2009, when they were known as Force India.
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Currently, Aston Martin are supplied with power units, suspension and gearboxes by the Silver Arrows, with it currently unknown just how much the side will receive from Honda.
It will see Aston Martin become a Honda works team for the new power unit regulations, with it set to be announced on Wednesday according to Gazzetta.
Sources close to HRC, according to PlanetF1.com, believe that Honda’s deal with Aston Martin will run from 2026 until the end of the 2030 season, where it could then be extended further upon negotiations.
Given how well Aston Martin have started the 2023 season, switching to Honda could be seen as a risk, with the side having claimed four podiums from the opening five races.
Of course, whilst not under the Honda name, the Japanese manufacturer are heavily involved in Red Bull’s current power unit, which is by far the most dominant on the grid.
There is no guarantee, though, that Honda will still have the best power unit come the new regulations, meaning it’s a gamble for Aston Martin to ditch the security of Mercedes.
Aston Martin’s driver line-up from 2026 onwards could also see a substantial change due to the expected partnership with Honda, given that Fernando Alonso previously compared the Japanese manufacturer’s engine to a GP2 car.
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Alonso and Honda’s relationship didn’t end on good terms at McLaren, with the veteran having ultimately left the sport for two seasons.
Given that Alonso would be 45 years old come 2026, he may have retired from the sport by then.
If the Spaniard is still racing in 2026, then he could be forced to move to another team.