Key takeaways

Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), expressed his gratitude to Fernando Alonso for his trust and patience throughout a challenging beginning to their partnership with Aston Martin in Formula 1. Encouraged by recent performance gains, the executive urged the Spanish veteran to extend his stay in the sport through 2027 and beyond, insisting that both parties can still “make history together.”

After facing early reliability issues stemming from power unit vibrations, the British squad introduced 16 upgrades at the Hungarian Grand Prix, enabling the two-time World Champion to reach Q2 for the first time in 2026. Further aerodynamic progress arrived at the Dutch Grand Prix, where the AMR26 debuted Honda’s Specification 2 power unit. Although driver feedback noted minor driveability adjustments following the power increase, Alonso maximized the package to finish ninth at Zandvoort, marking his second points finish of the campaign.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Watanabe praised the Spaniard’s collaborative mindset during difficult months.

“For Honda, this has been very important. Alonso is a fantastic driver, and for us, working alongside him is extremely vital. His feedback about the car is exceptionally precise and truly helps push our development forward,” Watanabe began.

Koji Watanabe hopes Fernando Alonso continues with Aston Martin in F1 beyond 2026 (Photo: Honda)

“Tackling a challenge next to a driver with such extraordinary passion means everything to Honda. Although we aren’t in the position we want to be right now, our shared goal with Alonso is to become a top team in F1,” the HRC president added.

Following Max Verstappen’s contract extension at Red Bull, Alonso stands as a key figure in the driver market. With his current deal expiring at the end of the season, the Asturian has yet to commit to his future.

“I hope he continues. We would make history—history for Alonso, but also for Honda. We will get closer to the top teams. Next year, of course, we will be much higher up compared to our current position. The Spec 2 engine is the first step toward rectifying our situation, and every year we will close the gap. Our objective is to win,” Watanabe declared.

“There was an issue initially, but it no longer exists because we have hired enough quality engineers. We are in a good position now,” he concluded.

The paddock remains active as Adrian Newey heaps praise on Fernando Alonso following his Zandvoort points finish. Meanwhile, Lando Norris avoids excitement despite his recent form, and McLaren identifies Monza performance as key to its 2026 battle against Mercedes.

Formula 1 returns from September 4–6 at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete live coverage of all track action. Follow all updates on our news page.

World Championship Standings (Top 5 after Dutch GP)

PosDriverTeamEnginePoints
1Andrea Kimi AntonelliMercedesMercedes242
2George RussellMercedesMercedes183
3Lewis HamiltonFerrariFerrari183
4Lando NorrisMcLarenMercedes159
5Charles LeclercFerrariFerrari155

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Why did Honda thank Fernando Alonso during the 2026 season?

HRC President Koji Watanabe thanked Alonso for his patience and constructive feedback while Aston Martin and Honda resolved early-season engine vibration and reliability issues.

2. What results has Fernando Alonso achieved with the upgraded AMR26?

Alonso reached Q2 for the first time in Hungary after a 16-upgrade package was introduced, and later finished ninth at the Dutch Grand Prix using Honda’s Spec 2 power unit.

3. Has Fernando Alonso renewed his contract with Aston Martin for 2027?

Not yet. Alonso’s current contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, though Honda has publicly expressed its desire for him to extend his deal.