Honda signs up for F1's 2026 engine cycle, but has no team

©RedBull

The FIA has confirmed that six engine manufacturers have signed up to produce a next-generation power unit for F1 from 2026, including Honda although its unknown which team the Japanese manufacturer will supply.

Grand Prix racing's future engine regulation cycle will kick off in three years time with a unit that will feature enhanced electrical power and that will operate on 100 per cent sustainable fuel.

The six manufacturers or brands are Mercedes, Ferrari, Alpine, Honda and new suppliers Red Bull Ford and Audi.

While Alpine's engines are produced by Renault at Viry-Châtillon, the Red Bull Ford-branded unit will be supplied by Red Bull Powertrains in Milton Keynes.

Audi will partner with Sauber for its F1 efforts but Honda, which powered Max Verstappen to the Dutchman's maiden world title in F1 in 2021 and won the Constructors' championship with Red Bull Racing last season, has yet to contract with a team for 2026.

Honda's potential customers might include incumbents such as Williams, Haas or Aston Martin, while Andretti-Cadillac, should its entry into F1 receive a green light, appears to already have a deal with Alpine, but that could change.

"The confirmation that there will be six Power Unit manufacturers competing in Formula 1 from 2026 is testament to the strength of the championship and the robust technical regulations that have been diligently created by the FIA in close collaboration with Formula 1 and the Power Unit manufacturers,” said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

"The Power Unit is at the forefront of technological innovation, making the future of Formula 1 more sustainable while maintaining the spectacular racing.

"I am grateful for the confidence of world-leading automotive manufacturers demonstrated by their commitment to Formula 1."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter