Honda struggling with development of 2026 F1 power unit

The road to 2026 and to Formula 1’s future power unit regulations are proving to be more challenging than anticipated for Honda.

The 2026 season will usher in a new era for Formula 1, with the introduction of significantly revised technical and power unit regulations.

On the engine front, the changes, designed to attract new manufacturers to the sport, emphasize electrification, efficiency, and sustainability.

Honda’s Return to F1 and the 2026 Challenge

In May 2023, Honda officially announced its return to Formula 1 as a power unit supplier through a works partnership with Aston Martin, signaling a renewed commitment to the sport.

This came after a period of uncertainty following Honda’s decision to formally exit F1 at the end of 2021, despite continuing to supply power units to Red Bull Racing and its sister team, Scuderia AlphaTauri, through an extended support arrangement.

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Red Bull will part ways with Honda at the end of this year and pursue an in-house, independent power unit program in collaboration with Ford.

Meanwhile, Honda will embark on a new journey with new partner Aston Martin, who are steadily positioning themselves as a rising force in the championship.

However, the new regulations – designed to increase the electrical power output of hybrid systems while ensuring greater sustainability – have proven to be a formidable challenge for all manufacturers, including Honda.

©Honda

Speaking at the Rolex 24 at Daytona last weekend, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe admitted that the company is facing significant hurdles in the development of its next-generation engine.

“We are struggling,” Watanabe told the media, quoted by PlanetF1. “Now we are trying our best to show the result next year.”

Overhauling the Power Unit Concept

The 2026 regulations demand significant technological advancements, with the most striking change being an increase in the electrical output of the hybrid powertrain.

The new units will require a compact yet highly efficient motor, coupled with an energy-dense lightweight battery, all while maintaining a competitive internal combustion engine.

Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe

“Everything is new,” Watanabe added. “The motor is a new 355-kW, very compact one we need.

“Also, the lightweight battery, it’s not so easy to develop. And also the small engine with the big power. Everything is very difficult, but we try our best.”

Watanabe’s remarks underscore the urgency with which Honda is approaching the development process, but also the steep development curve faced by the manufacturer as it works to ensure that its power unit meets the stringent demands of F1’s evolving landscape.

The challenge lies not only in achieving the right balance between internal combustion power and electrical energy recovery but also in delivering a unit that aligns with the sport’s new cost cap restrictions.

A Broader Industry Challenge

While Honda’s struggles may be concerning, they are not unique. The new regulatory era is pushing all manufacturers to the limits of their engineering capabilities.

Audi, for instance, has committed to F1 by taking over Sauber and will introduce its own power unit in 2026. Rumors are that the Ingolstadt-based firm is also struggling to produce a competitive power unit.

Similarly, Ford is re-entering the sport as Red Bull’s strategic partner.

©RedBull

Team boss Christian Horner has also acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing engine manufacturers, particularly as teams must simultaneously develop an entirely new chassis to comply with revised aerodynamic regulations.

“We’ve got a massive regulation change, they’re changing the engine and the chassis in ‘26 and we’re building our own engine for ‘26, in partnership with Ford Motor Company, and that’s a huge challenge,” Horner stated in an interview with talkSPORT.

“So we’re taking on Ferrari and Mercedes, you know, as a subsidiary of Red Bull, and that is by far our biggest challenge in the sport.”

While Watanabe’s admission may raise concerns, it is important to recognize that the development timeline for new regulations is always fraught with obstacles.

Honda’s history in F1 suggests that despite early struggles, the company has the capability to rise to the occasion.

Its success with Red Bull in recent seasons – culminating in multiple world championships – demonstrates its engineering prowess.

With a year remaining before the new regulations take effect, manufacturers still have a bit of time to refine their designs and ensure they are competitive when the 2026 season begins.

But the next 12 months will be critical, as everyone looks to finalize their power unit concepts.

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