{"id":1323,"date":"2026-08-27T12:35:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T15:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=1323"},"modified":"2026-08-27T12:35:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T15:35:48","slug":"honda-evaluates-f1-commitment-if-v8-engines-return-open-to-discussion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/honda-evaluates-f1-commitment-if-v8-engines-return-open-to-discussion\/","title":{"rendered":"Honda evaluates F1 commitment if V8 engines return: \u201cOpen to discussion\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Open to discussion:<\/strong> <strong>Honda remains receptive to talks regarding future engine regulations<\/strong>, including a potential V8 return, but has not yet received an official proposal from the FIA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sustainability focus:<\/strong> <strong>Watanabe emphasized that cutting-edge technology and sustainability<\/strong> must remain core pillars of any future Formula 1 engine platform.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aston Martin partnership:<\/strong> <strong>Honda returned to F1 for the 2026 technical cycle<\/strong> with Aston Martin, driven by the current 50\/50 split between internal combustion power and electrification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Honda<\/strong> has addressed growing paddock discussions surrounding a potential return to <strong>V8 engines<\/strong> for Formula 1&#8217;s post-2030 regulatory era. <strong>Koji Watanabe<\/strong>, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), confirmed the manufacturer is &#8220;fully open&#8221; to evaluating future engine concepts, provided the sport maintains its focus on technological innovation and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While FIA President <strong>Mohammed Ben Sulayem<\/strong>, F1 CEO <strong>Stefano Domenicali<\/strong>, and key team principals have expressed support for exploring simpler, roaring engine architectures for the next decade, Watanabe clarified that Honda has not received formal proposals from governing bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese manufacturer previously stepped away from F1 after 2021 to redirect resources toward road car electrification.<sup><\/sup> However, the introduction of the 2026 power unit regulations\u2014featuring an equal power split between sustainable-fuel combustion and electric output\u2014prompted Honda to commit to a factory partnership with <strong>Aston Martin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"F1 2026, PAISES BAIXOS, SPRINT, ASTON MARTIN, FERNANDO ALONSO\" class=\"wp-image-1020312485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/f1-2026-paises-baixos-sprint-aston-martin-fernando-alonso-02.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Honda remains open to discussing future F1 power unit direction (Photo: Aston Martin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;<strong>It&#8217;s very simple. First of all, I haven&#8217;t received any official proposal from the FIA,<\/strong>&#8221; Watanabe told Spanish outlet <em>Mundo Deportivo<\/em>. &#8220;<strong>Of course, I read the news, but because of that, I cannot give a definitive answer. However, as F1 is the top category in global motorsport, we believe F1 technology must be at the forefront and needs to be sustainable. That is important.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watanabe emphasized that Honda&#8217;s continued participation depends on alignment with broader corporate goals, particularly regarding sustainable synthetic fuels and advanced energy recovery:<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;<strong>We are fully open to discussing how to achieve a power unit of that type,<\/strong>&#8221; Watanabe concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watanabe&#8217;s remarks follow a series of key technical developments across the paddock, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/f1-ceo-reinforces-support-for-v8-engine-return-we-are-moving-in-the-right-direction\/\">Stefano Domenicali reinforcing support for a post-2030 V8 return<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/fernando-alonso-says-aston-martin-is-back-to-square-one-with-new-honda-engine\/\">Fernando Alonso noting driveability setbacks with Honda&#8217;s upgraded engine spec at Zandvoort<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/fernando-alonso-struggles-with-aston-martin-and-relies-on-miracles-to-remain-competitive-formula-1\/\">Adrian Newey revealing how Honda&#8217;s brief F1 exit reshaped its engineering team<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 resumes action from <strong>September 4\u20136<\/strong> at Monza for the <strong>Italian Grand Prix<\/strong>, the 13th round of the 2026 World Championship.<sup><\/sup> <strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/a><\/strong> provides complete live coverage of every session across all categories. Follow all updates on our <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/news\/\">news page<\/a>.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">World Championship Standings (Top 5 after Dutch GP)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Pos<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Driver<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Team<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Engine<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Points<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/strong><\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td><strong>242<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>2<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>George Russell<\/strong><\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td><strong>183<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>3<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Lewis Hamilton<\/strong><\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td><strong>183<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>4<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Lando Norris<\/strong><\/td><td>McLaren<\/td><td>Mercedes<\/td><td><strong>159<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>5<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Charles Leclerc<\/strong><\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td>Ferrari<\/td><td><strong>155<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Is Honda considering staying in F1 if V8 engines return?<sup><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, HRC President Koji Watanabe stated Honda is open to discussing future V8 proposals, provided the engine technology remains sustainable and relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Which team does Honda supply in Formula 1?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honda acts as the works power unit supplier for <strong>Aston Martin<\/strong>, starting with the 2026 technical regulation cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. When is the next race on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Formula 1 returns to action from <strong>September 4\u20136, 2026<\/strong>, for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe confirmed the manufacturer is open to discussing a potential return to V8 engines in F1, provided technological innovation and sustainability remain key priorities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1010388108,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Koji Watanabe","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Honda","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[35],"42wp_author":[58],"class_list":["post-1323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-honda","42wp_author-vicente-soella"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1323"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1324,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1323\/revisions\/1324"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1010388108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1323"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=1323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}