Aston Martin will be utilizing Honda as their power source in the upcoming F1 season of 2026, which means Fernando Alonso will once again be collaborating with the Japanese automaker. However, reflecting on his previous experience with McLaren during the years 2015 to 2017, it is evident that Alonso’s time with Honda was far from ideal. The Japanese company struggled to provide reliable and powerful power units, resulting in a strained relationship that ultimately led to their separation at the end of the 2017 season. Alonso did not hold back in his criticism, even going as far as referring to their power unit as a “GP2 engine” during the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix. Nevertheless, with his renewed partnership with Aston Martin, Alonso believes that things will be different this time around.
During a media interview, Alonso expressed his thoughts on Honda, acknowledging their significant contribution to Formula 1 and motorsport as a whole. While the McLaren collaboration did not yield positive results, he believes that Honda has since addressed their issues and has established a solid foundation for the future. Alonso visited Honda’s facilities in Sakura back in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and witnessed firsthand their motivation and determination. He also expressed his interest in experimenting with Aramco fuel, emphasizing the win-win situation that this partnership presents. Alonso’s recent race in Japan, where he finished sixth, coincided with the announcement of his contract renewal with Aston Martin.
When asked why the decision was not made earlier, Alonso attributed it to the demanding nature of his commitments, such as car launches, catalog and photo shoots. He wanted to ensure that he was truly enjoying his work and that progress was being made with the team. If there were no signs of improvement, he would have considered exploring other options. However, Alonso remains optimistic about the future, stating that the team is making progress with each update. He highlighted the transformation of the team’s facilities, comparing them to top-tier teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. Alonso also expressed his admiration for Japanese culture and his positive experiences working with Honda and Toyota. Ultimately, he believes that Honda’s power unit is a strong engine that will contribute to his success, drawing upon his victories at the Le Mans 24H race with Toyota in 2018 and 2019.