ASTON MARTIN AND HONDA CELEBRATE NEW ERA AT TOKYO PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH

MEDIA RELEASE/Aston Martin-Honda – Photo: supplied

Tokyo, Japan, 20 January 2026: Aston Martin Aramco and Honda have today celebrated the start of their ‘works’ partnership and heralded a new era for the sport at event held in Tokyo.

Aston Martin Aramco Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll, joined Honda Motor Cooperation President and Representative Executive Officer, Toshihiro Mibe, for the event, which also saw President and CEO of Formula 1®, Stefano Domenicali, take to the stage to acknowledge the significance of the moment.

From the 2026 season onwards, Honda will provide Aston Martin Aramco with power units as a works partner, marking a significant step forward in the team’s long term Championship winning aspirations. The two companies have been working together closely ahead of the season – along with Aramco and Valvoline – with Chief Strategy Officer, Andy Cowell, providing invaluable oversight throughout the process.

Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin Executive Chairman said: “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.”

Toshihiro Mibe, Honda Motor Cooperation President and Representative Executive Officer said: “Honda’s participation in F1, the pinnacle of automobile racing, has been the embodiment of the spirit of the company founder, Soichiro Honda, who inspired Honda engineers to commit to becoming No.1 in the world and to take on the most difficult challenges.

“In 2026, F1 will undergo a major change in regulations for both the chassis and power unit. Honda sees F1 as a symbol of challenge and innovation, and HRC, the global racing arm of Honda, has developed the RA626H, the new power unit for the 2026 season, to meet those challenges. Striving to become number One in the world, Honda will continue to take on challenges together with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.

“Today we also launch a new H mark with a refreshed design, which Honda has adopted as the new symbol representing its automobile business. This new H mark symbolizes the transformation of Honda ‘s automobile business so it is an important moment for us.”

The team’s 2026 Season Launch will take place at Ithra, Saudi Arabia next month, ahead of the first race in Melbourne in March.

About Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team

With history dating back to 1913 and its founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin has a storied history rooted in racing. Early success at the Aston Hill Climb inspired a legacy of crafting high-performance luxury vehicles. The brand debuted in Grand Prix racing in 1922, claimed outright victory at Le Mans in 1959 and returned to Formula One in 2021 under Lawrence Stroll’s leadership. 

2026 marks the beginning of a new era for Aston Martin Aramco, as the team becomes a full works operation for the first time. Honda will provide the power units, working alongside Aramco and Valvoline to deliver cutting-edge sustainable fuels and high-performance lubricants. Adrian Newey, Managing Technical Partner, takes on the additional role of Team Principal, leading the team into the new era of technical regulations.

On track, the team’s driver line-up features experienced Canadian Lance Stroll and double World Champion Fernando Alonso. Jak Crawford, having served as Young Development Driver, becomes the team’s official Third Driver in 2026, alongside Test and Reserve Driver Stoffel Vandoorne and Team Ambassador Pedro de la Rosa. Mari Boya, competing in FIA Formula 2, and Mathilda Paatz, racing in the all-female F1 ACADEMY series, form the team’s Driver Academy. Mathilda will be guided by the team’s Head of F1 ACADEMY and Driver Ambassador, Jessica Hawkins.

Off-track, Aston Martin Aramco continues to drive progress through its I / AM fan engagement platform, and Make A Mark ESG programme, driving sustainability, inclusion and community engagement. Partnerships with Racing Pride, Spinal Track, and the Aleto Foundation support inclusivity, accessibility, and leadership development. The team’s commitment to energy efficiency is certified by ISO 50001 compliance.

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