Lawrence Stroll, the owner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, has boldly stated that the squad now possesses every component needed to challenge for race victories. This declaration follows the official launch of their new partnership with Honda as the team's power unit supplier for the 2026 season.
A New Powerhouse Alliance
The Japanese manufacturer, which previously enjoyed a dominant seven-year spell with Red Bull, held a dedicated launch event in Tokyo on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Aston Martin has moved on from its long-standing customer relationship with Mercedes, marking 2026's sweeping new technical regulations as the perfect moment to begin a works partnership with Honda.
This strategic shift is a cornerstone of the team's ambitious plan to ascend the grid and consistently compete for world championships. The 2026 season represents a fresh start under the new rules, with the car being the first fully developed under the guidance of the newly appointed Managing Technical Partner, design legend Adrian Newey.
Stroll's Confident Vision for the Future
Speaking in Tokyo, just six weeks before the season opener in Melbourne, an optimistic Stroll outlined the strength of the new collaboration. He emphasised the close work between the Aston Martin Racing technology centre in Silverstone and the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) base in Sakura, Japan.
"We are confident that we have all the elements required to fight for victory in the future," Stroll stated. "We have tremendous faith in Honda’s Power Unit and the engineers behind it." He acknowledged the journey would present challenges but stressed that a shared desire to win was the driving force for both companies.
Also present at the Tokyo event were Aston Martin's chief strategy officer, Andy Cowell, and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. Cowell was replaced as team principal by Adrian Newey at the close of the previous season.
Honda's Commitment to Innovation
Honda Motor Company president, Toshihiro Mibe, reinforced the manufacturer's commitment. He described F1 as a symbol of challenge and innovation for the brand. To meet the 2026 regulatory changes, HRC has developed the new RA626H power unit.
"Striving to become number one in the world, Honda will continue to take on challenges together with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team," Mibe said.
The team, which also boasts two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in its driver line-up, is scheduled to unveil its 2026 challenger at a launch event in Ithra, Saudi Arabia, on Monday, 8 February. All eleven F1 teams will then gather for a private test in Barcelona next week, followed by two official pre-season tests in Bahrain next month. The 2026 F1 world championship begins in Melbourne, Australia, on 8 March.
