Honda’s big F1 comeback starts in Tokyo as 2026 power unit era begins
Honda sets the stage for its Formula 1 return
Honda will officially reintroduce itself as a Formula 1 power unit supplier with a dedicated launch event in Tokyo on January 20, 2026, marking the manufacturer’s first formal step back into the championship since leaving the sport in 2021.
According to reporting by PlanetF1, the event is designed to publicly unveil Honda’s all new power unit ahead of the sweeping technical regulation changes scheduled for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The launch will be livestreamed globally on YouTube and is positioned as a symbolic restart for Honda’s factory backed involvement in Formula 1.
Industry leaders join Honda for the reveal
The Tokyo event is expected to feature several senior figures from across the sport. Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe will be joined by Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
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According to PlanetF1, the presence of both Aston Martin and Formula 1 leadership underscores the importance of Honda’s return at a time when the championship is reshaping its technical and commercial direction.
Excerpt from PlanetF1
“The event will kickstart Honda’s official return to Formula 1 as a power unit manufacturer under the 2026 regulations.”
A new partnership and a changing power landscape
Honda’s return comes alongside a major shift in the Formula 1 power unit landscape. Aston Martin will become Honda’s works partner from 2026, ending its current engine supply relationship with Mercedes.
At the same time, Red Bull Racing and RB, teams that have relied on Honda power for much of the past decade, will transition to engines developed by Red Bull Powertrains.
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According to PlanetF1, this realignment reflects a broader redistribution of manufacturer involvement as Formula 1 prepares for a new technical era.
Regulations that brought Honda back
The 2026 regulations are widely seen as a decisive factor in Honda’s renewed commitment to Formula 1. The new rules mandate a near equal power split between internal combustion engines and electric motors, alongside the use of fully sustainable fuels.
According to Honda Racing Corporation, the electric component of the power unit will see a significant increase in output compared to the current generation, aligning more closely with Honda’s long term road car and electrification strategies.
Honda executives have repeatedly pointed to the relevance of these regulations to the company’s future technology roadmap.
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Why Formula 1 still matters to Honda
Rather than treating Formula 1 as a standalone racing project, Honda views its return as a strategic investment in research, development, and global brand positioning.
According to PlanetF1, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe has emphasized that Formula 1 remains a critical environment for advancing hybrid technology, improving engineering capability, and demonstrating innovation on a worldwide stage.
For Honda, the Tokyo launch is not just about revealing a power unit. It represents a renewed commitment to using the pinnacle of motorsport as a testing ground for the technologies that will define its future products.
Sources
PlanetF1
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