Formula 1 News:Honda admits early 2026 engine struggle possible
(GMM) Honda has openly acknowledged it may start the 2026 Formula 1 season on the back foot, despite high expectations surrounding its new works partnership with Aston Martin and the arrival of Adrian Newey’s first car under the new rules.
At the unveiling of its 2026 power unit in Tokyo, senior Honda figures conceded that recent paddock rumors about difficulties on the internal combustion engine side may not be unfounded.
“Electrification is progressing according to plan,” said Tetsushi Kakuda, project leader. “However, that doesn’t necessarily apply to the combustion engine.
“Ultimately, a lot depends on the development time available. Taking that into account, we believe we’ve done everything we can.”
The comments mark a notably cautious tone from Honda, which returns as a full works supplier in 2026 after stepping back into a technical partnership role with Red Bull in recent seasons. While the electrical side of the new hybrid power unit appears on schedule, Kakuda made clear that progress has not been uniform across all areas.
Honda president Koji Watanabe echoed that realism, stressing the scale of the challenge posed by the radically revised regulations.
“If we participate, we want to win,” Watanabe said. “However, the 2026 rules are technically very challenging, and perhaps we are going to have a hard time.”
He added that Honda simply does not yet know where it stands relative to rivals. “At the moment, we have not tested on the track and we do not know what the gap to the competition is,” Watanabe said. “We need to see how it goes as soon as the test days begin. In the long run, we’re aiming to fight for championships.”
The first real benchmark will come next week in Barcelona, where winter group testing – initially behind closed doors – begins. Rumor in the paddock suggest Aston Martin and Honda may even face a tight race to be fully ready for the opening test.
Away from the technical questions, Honda’s influence on driver matters is also under discussion. With Yuki Tsunoda currently listed as a Red Bull reserve, speculation persists that Honda would like to see him freed from that arrangement as its Aston Martin partnership gathers momentum.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, speaking in Tokyo, urged patience for the Japanese driver.
“As you know, Yuki Tsunoda will be serving as reserve driver this year, and he needs to persevere because opportunities may still arise,” Domenicali said. “He needs to be ready for them. I sincerely wish this for him, because he’s a great guy, and our sport will still need him.”