Aston Martin will be utilizing Honda as their power source when the new F1 power unit and car regulations are implemented in 2026. This means that Alonso will once again be connected with the Japanese manufacturer. However, looking back at Alonso’s time with McLaren between 2015 and 2017, when Honda was supplying their engines, it is clear that the experience was far from positive. The Japanese company struggled to produce reliable and powerful power units, and McLaren’s chassis did not improve matters. The blame game escalated until the two parties separated at the end of the 2017 season. Alonso did not hold back in his criticism, even going as far as calling Honda’s power unit a “GP2 engine” during the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix. Despite this, Alonso is confident that his partnership with Honda at Aston Martin in 2026 will be different.
During a media interview, including GrandPrix247, Alonso expressed his admiration for Honda as a manufacturer, not just in F1 but also in other motorsports. He acknowledged that their collaboration with McLaren did not yield the desired results, but believes that Honda has since rectified the issues. He pointed out that Honda has been reigning world champions for a considerable period and has established a solid foundation for 2026. Alonso also mentioned visiting Honda’s facility in Sakura in the past and witnessing their dedication and motivation. He expressed his eagerness to experiment with Aramco fuel, emphasizing that the collaboration with Honda is a mutually beneficial situation. Alonso recently returned from Japan, where he competed in a special race and sported a unique helmet featuring a samurai tattoo on his back. He views the opportunity to work with Honda as a true pleasure.
The announcement of Alonso’s contract extension came after the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished sixth. When asked why the decision was not made earlier, Alonso explained that it was primarily due to the demanding nature of his commitments, such as car launches, catalogue and photo shoots. He wanted to ensure that he was enjoying his work and seeing progress with the team. If there was no improvement, he would consider looking elsewhere. However, Alonso expressed confidence in Aston Martin’s competitiveness, highlighting the progress the team has made since he joined. He compared their facilities to those of top teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes, and expressed his desire to be part of their continued growth. Alonso also spoke about his affinity for Japan and his positive experiences working with Japanese manufacturers like Honda and Toyota. Given the choice, he would opt for Honda’s power unit, as he believes it is a strong engine that will contribute to his success. Alonso’s previous victories at the Le Mans 24H race with Toyota further reinforce his confidence in Japanese engineering.