Honda has indicated a possible future collaboration with Max Verstappen at Aston Martin, an F1 team they will begin supplying engines to starting in 2026.
This potential move comes after a successful partnership with Red Bull, which began in 2019 and led to Honda being a key factor in Red Bull’s championship victories, especially noticeable during the intense 2021 season against Lewis Hamilton.
Honda’s association with Red Bull has already yielded three world championships for Verstappen, with predictions favoring further success in 2024 and 2025.
Despite exiting Formula 1 ahead of the 2021 season, Honda was drawn back into the sport with the introduction of new engine regulations set for 2026, partnering with Aston Martin.
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Currently, Aston Martin’s driver lineup seems stable, with Fernando Alonso recently signing a multi-year agreement and Lance Stroll expected to remain indefinitely.
Nonetheless, the prospect of Verstappen joining Aston Martin has been entertained by Honda, suggesting he could one day replace Alonso.
Watanabe of Honda shared his thoughts with Motorsport.com, stating, “I don’t think that day will come within a very short period of time, but if both continue their Formula 1 activities in the future then we hope that we can work together again one day.
“It is a very good relationship.
“We trust each other and also the Honda workers love Max. We are proud to work together with Max, so we will miss him in the future.”
“It is a very good relationship. We trust each other and also the Honda workers love Max. We are proud to work together with Max, so we will miss him in the future.”
He emphasized the remaining time with Verstappen at Red Bull, expressing commitment to winning another championship, “But we still have two years together and we promise to do our best to win another world championship together with Max and Red Bull.
He is so important. He is the number one Formula 1 driver now. Of course, the team management is important and the machinery is important as well, but the combination is crucial and one important piece of that is Max.”
The partnership’s high points include Verstappen’s victory at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, marking Honda’s first F1 win in over a decade.
Reflecting on this milestone, Watanabe recalled, “My biggest memory is him pointing at the Honda logo on the podium in Austria at the Red Bull Ring.
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“I was there, that was a very special moment for me. I was standing under the podium and that day was so special.”
He concluded by highlighting Verstappen’s gratitude towards Honda, “He always thinks about Honda and says ‘thank you, Honda’ a lot.
“He expresses his thoughts to the outside world about Honda, which is also important for all the people working for Honda.”