Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has admitted development of the Japanese marque’s 2026 Formula 1 power unit is proving “very difficult”.
Honda currently powers the two Red Bull-owned F1 teams (Red Bull and Racing Bulls) and has done so with great success since the partnership began in 2018, winning 68 races, four Drivers’ titles and two Constructors’ titles.
That starkly contrasts with Honda’s first years in the hybrid formula with McLaren, where unreliability and underperformance characterised 2015 through 2017.
Hybrid power units will continue in F1 from 2026 but in a different guise, as will Honda, not with Red Bull but as a works engine partner with Aston Martin.
The changes come three-fold with the 2026 power unit regulations with the removal of the MGU-H system, the introduction of fully sustainable fuels and an increased reliance on electrification amounting to an approximate 50/50 power split between the 1.6-litre turbo V6 and battery elements of the hybrid powertrains.
It’s the final point that Honda is facing trouble with and Watanabe has admitted to PlanetF1 that development is “not so easy.
“We are struggling,” Watanabe added.
“Now we are trying our best to show the result next year.
“Everything is new. 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.”
Honda’s rivals unsure of 2026 power unit progress
While Aston Martin won’t take kindly to learning its new engine partner is having development issues, others are also facing challenges and uncertainty.
Audi is a newcomer to the F1 power unit scene next and no doubt will have teething troubles.
As could, potentially, the Red Bull Ford Powertrains division: a new venture spearheaded by the Milton Keynes-based F1 outfit that Team Principal Christian Horner told talkSPORT “is by far our biggest challenge in the sport”.
Even Mercedes, much-fancied to have the class-leading power unit next year, is unsure of itself.
Speaking to select media including Motorsport Week, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff wasn’t 100% confident the Silver Arrows has the top tier 2026 power unit some people may think.
“Certain expectations we’re meeting, that’s good,” Wolff said.
“Others, we’re still pushing to achieve our targets. It’s not trivial.
“But then the question is, have you set your expectations in the right way? So the answer is, we don’t know where we are.”
READ MORE – Christian Horner makes Honda vow as Red Bull F1 partnership enters last year
