The optimism that surrounded Honda’s long-awaited return as a full works Formula 1 power unit manufacturer has quickly given way to concern, uncertainty and a growing recognition that the road back to the front may be far longer than many expected.
Seven races into the 2026 season, Aston Martin finds itself rooted to the bottom of the constructors’ standings, a painful position for a project that entered the campaign carrying enormous expectations.
Instead of challenging for podiums and race wins, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have spent much of the year wrestling with reliability issues, inconsistent performance and the harsh realities of a partnership still searching for solid foundations.
Now, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe has delivered a sobering assessment of the situation, warning that neither Aston Martin nor Honda should expect a quick fix.
A mountain of new challenges
For many observers, Honda’s previous success with Red Bull created an expectation that the Japanese manufacturer would immediately become a competitive force on the grid once again. Watanabe, however, believes such comparisons overlook the complexity of the current project.
“It is important to recognise that the current situation is fundamentally different from the time we worked together with Red Bull,” the Japanese engineer told F1.com
“The regulation is quite difficult, it is a new partnership with Aston Martin, the fuel is Aramco – and a new partner – and the lubricant is Valvoline, [which is also] new.
“So everything [is] new for us and it’s not easy.”
Those remarks reflect the daunting scale of the challenge facing Honda. Virtually every major component of the operation has changed simultaneously, creating a scenario in which the manufacturer is attempting to solve multiple problems at once while adapting to Formula 1’s latest generation of regulations.
The situation has been further complicated by Honda’s decision several years ago to withdraw officially from Formula 1 before reversing course and committing to a new works programme. That interruption, Watanabe admitted, continues to cast a shadow over the company’s current efforts.
Paying the price for lost time
While Honda remained involved with Red Bull’s engines through the end of 2025, rebuilding a full factory programme proved far more complicated than anticipated.
“The recovery from the delay caused by our previous withdrawal has taken time,” he said.
“So the late start of development, as well as the time required to rebuild necessary capacities and capabilities and bring back the required talent have been a significant factor.”
Those setbacks have forced Honda into a reactive position. Much of the opening phase of the season has been spent addressing reliability concerns and vibration-related issues rather than pursuing outright speed gains.
Although an engine upgrade is scheduled for later in the year, Watanabe was careful to lower expectations that a single development package will suddenly transform Aston Martin’s fortunes.
“It will not dramatically change the situation overnight so our approach is unchanged and we will continue to work with a long-term perspective,” Watanabe said.
The warning comes as Aston Martin prepares its own significant aerodynamic overhaul before the summer break, hoping a combination of chassis and power unit improvements can halt its slide. Yet the message from Honda is unmistakable: recovery will be measured in months and years, not races.
Faith remains despite frustration
Despite the disappointing start, Watanabe insists support from within the Aston Martin camp remains intact.
Team owner Lawrence Stroll, who has invested heavily in transforming Aston Martin into a championship contender, continues to back Honda’s ability to eventually deliver.
“He strongly believes in Honda’s capability,” the Honda chief said.
“Of course, he’s not satisfied and I’m not satisfied with the current situation but we discuss often how we can recover the current situation, including the PU performance and the chassis performance and team operation and everything to return to the position where we want.”
The comments reveal a partnership united by frustration but determined to resist panic. Both sides acknowledge the scale of the problems, yet neither appears willing to abandon the long-term vision that brought them together.
For Honda, that commitment extends well beyond the current struggles.
“There is no change in our evaluation or our commitment to HRC or motorsport activities at this stage,” Watanabe concluded.
“Taking the challenge of Formula 1 remains part of Honda’s DNA – and it has not changed. We have a long-term commitment.”
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For now, however, those words offer reassurance rather than immediate relief.
As Aston Martin continues to battle near the back of the field and Honda works to recover lost ground, the partnership faces an uncomfortable truth: the rebuilding process is only just beginning, and the difficult days may not be over anytime soon.
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