Lawrence Stroll, the Canadian entrepreneur who has invested heavily in Aston Martin's transformation project, has made another bold move in his quest to create a top competitive team in Formula 1. Stroll's investments have brought some big names into the technical group and driver line-up, including Luca Furbatto, Dan Fallow, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. The infrastructure is under construction in Silverstone, but today another important step has been taken. In 2026, the Canadian team will end its collaboration with Mercedes and welcome Honda back as its engine supplier.
"Honda is a global titan and its success in motorsport is longstanding and incredibly impressive."
Lawrence Stroll-Executive Chairman, AMF1 Team
Aston Martin has made impressive progress since Stroll acquired a stake in Force India in 2018 and rebranded it as Racing Point. The team has continued to improve under its current name and is now regarded as one of the strongest midfield outfits on the grid. However, Stroll's ultimate goal is to turn Aston Martin into a leading constructor, capable of competing with the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull for race wins and championships.
The signing of Honda as its engine supplier is a major step towards achieving that goal. The Japanese manufacturer previously supplied engines to McLaren and Red Bull before withdrawing from the sport at the end of 2021. However, Honda's partnership with Red Bull yielded impressive results, with Max Verstappen winning the championship in 2021.
AMF1 Team has today announced it is entering into a works partnership with Honda from 2026.
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) May 24, 2023
The Japanese manufacturer will supply power units to the team from the 2026 season.
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Aston Martin hopes that the technical expertise and resources provided by Honda will help it to close the gap to the front-running teams and challenge for race wins and podiums on a regular basis. The deal will give the team stability and continuity in its engine supply, allowing it to focus on other areas of development such as chassis, aerodynamics and simulation.
The partnership with Honda will also have commercial benefits for Aston Martin. The Japanese manufacturer is expected to invest in the project with new power units and sponsorship of the Silverstone-based team, providing a solid foundation for Stroll's ambitious project.
Honda will participate in the FIA Formula One® World Championship from the 2026 season as a power unit supplier for @AstonMartinF1
— Honda (@Honda) May 24, 2023
We take on new challenges to advance our electrification technologies by competing in the significantly electrified next-generation F1.#F1… pic.twitter.com/NyBJSC4cOs
However, the announcement is also likely to have consequences for the driver market. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are currently the team's drivers, but in 2026 Alonso may no longer be in the sport. If that is the case, Aston Martin could become an attractive destination for top-tier drivers looking for a competitive seat. Stroll has stated his intention to sign a top driver in the future to give even more strength to his project.
The signing of Honda as its engine supplier is a significant milestone for Aston Martin and a clear indication of Stroll's ambitions for the team. With a strong technical group, impressive driver line-up and now a reliable engine supply, Aston Martin is well on its way towards becoming a leading constructor in Formula 1. The next few years will be crucial as the team continues to develop its infrastructure and technical capabilities with the ultimate goal of winning races and challenging for championships.
