After 2022 characterized by the arrival of the new regulations, attention has shifted towards 2026, when it will not be the cars that will change but the power units. With the approval of the 2026 regulation, there are many teams that have looked out the window of Formula One, hoping to enter as soon as possible.
2026: year of revolutions and revenues
In view of 2026, two teams have already confirmed their entry into Formula One: Audi, following the agreement reached with Sauber, and Ford who will be a driver of Red Bull. However, this is not the only novelty: within the list of registered teams as engine manufacturers at the 2026 World Cup there is also Honda. News that shook the paddock a bit, considering that not only the Japanese company will be an engine manufacturer in 2026, but not of Red Bull.
Honda, agreement in sight with McLaren? Talk to Watanabe
So the question is legitimate: Who will Honda link with from 2026? To answer this question, during the press conference to present the season, is the president Koji Watanabe.
“After the FIA communication that confirmed our registration, we were immediately contacted by more than one Formula 1 team, but at the moment we want to see how things go. For now, we have not taken definitive decisions on whether or not to return to the track, but from a technological development point of view, we are convinced that the 2026 project will help technological development in a strategic area".
Brown: "We will evaluate soon"
Based on the latest, in particular what Roberto Chinchero reports, it is not excluded that for Honda there may be a return horse with the name of McLaren. The Woking stables he is a Mercedes customer, but in 2026 he could also decide to recreate the (at the time disastrous) combination of 2015-2017. However, the music has now clearly changed, also considering the success that Honda itself has achieved with Red Bull. The words of McLaren CEO Zak Brown also arrived on the possible negotiation.
“We are very happy with the relationship we have with Mercedes, but we have some time to evaluate the future. Seeing so many manufacturers interested in Formula 1 is great news for our sport and I can tell we are in no hurry. Stella and I will soon evaluate what to do, many aspects change very quickly in this sport and we will have to make the best choice in the medium and long term".
STATEMENT SOURCE: Motorsport.com
