Message to fans from Honda Racing boss: “Please continue to support us”

Aston Martin had pinned great hopes on the new regulations for the 2026 season – and was bitterly disappointed. Thanks to a lucky points haul for Fernando Alonso in Monaco following a grid penalty, the team is no longer bottom of the table and is no longer without points. Nevertheless, the start to the season has so far been utterly disappointing. A key part of the team’s problem is the Honda engine. Aston Martin is the only team using Honda power. Honda Racing CEO and President Koji Watanabe has now addressed the fans via Honda Racing F1’s social media channels.

HRC-Präsident Koji Watanabe

Foto: XPB

Watanabe said: “Thank you very much for your continued support. The start to the 2026 season has been very challenging for us. Our current position does not meet our expectations. However, in difficult times, we rely on the fighting spirit that is part of the DNA of Honda and HRC.” That is, the Honda brand and the Japanese group’s racing division.

He then draws an interesting comparison: “We also had a difficult start in 2015, but we came out stronger because we never gave up. Everyone in the team continues to work hard to improve our power unit for 2026. Our relationship with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team is growing closer by the day.” Honda had already returned to Formula 1 once before in 2015 and also struggled with problems. In 2015, 2017 and 2018, they finished ninth, with a sixth-place finish in 2016 in between. After that, Honda’s modern golden era began with Red Bull Racing, securing a third place (2019) and two second places (2020 and 2021) in the Constructors’ Championship. Will they manage to turn things around this time too?

Crisis meeting in Barcelona

Watanabe revealed that a meeting took place on the sidelines of the race in Barcelona: “At the recent Spanish Grand Prix, we held a team meeting which provided us with a great opportunity to communicate openly with one another and strengthen our trust. I also really enjoyed speaking directly with many members of the team. As a team, we will continue to work hard together and build on this strong foundation.”

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“We will never give up”

And the Japanese executive makes it clear: “We will never give up, no matter what happens. We are aware that the results so far have been frustrating, and we share that feeling. However, we believe that our hard work will pay off, and we will continue to make progress. Please continue to support us and fight alongside us.”