The road to 2026 and the future power unit regulations of Formula 1 have been proven to be more difficult than expected in Honda.
The 2026 season will hold a new era of official 1, and a great revised technology and power unit regulations will be introduced.
Changes designed to attract new manufacturers to sports on the front of the engine emphasize electrical, efficiency and sustainability.
HONDA returned to the F1 and 2026 challenge.
In May 2023, Honda officially announced a new promise to sports by officially announced as a power unit supplier through Aston Martin’s work partnership.
This was made after the period of uncertainty at the end of 2021, according to HONDA’s decision to officially terminate the F1.
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Red Bull will participate with Honda at the end of this year and pursue an in -house independent power program in collaboration with Ford.
Meanwhile, Honda will start a new trip with the new partner Aston Martin.
However, the new regulations designed to increase the power output and increase sustainability of the hybrid system have been demonstrated as a powerful challenge to all manufacturers including Honda.
© HONDA
Honda Racing Corporation Koji Watanabe, who spoke in Rolex 24 of last weekend, admitted that the company is facing a big obstacle to the development of next -generation engines.
Watanabe told the media quoted by Planetf1, “We are having trouble. “Now we are doing our best to show the results next year.”
Check the power device concept
The 2026 regulations require significant technology development, and the most impressive change is the increase in the electricity output of the hybrid powertrain.
The new unit requires a small but highly efficient motor combined with a high -energy lightweight battery while maintaining a competitive internal combustion organs.

Honda Racing Corporation Chairman
Watanabe said, “Everything is new. “The motor is a new 355kW and very small and very small we need.
“Also, light batteries are not easy to develop. Also, a small engine with great power. Everything is very difficult, but we do our best. ”
Watanabe’s remarks are not only for HONDA’s urgency, but also steep development curves faced by manufacturers, as the power supply devices are faced to meet the strict needs for the evolving environment of the F1. Emphasize.
The challenge is not only to achieve the correct balance between internal combustion power and electrical energy recovery, but also to deliver devices that match the new cost cap limit of sports.
Wider industrial challenge
Honda’s struggle may be related but not unique. The new regulatory era pushes all manufacturers as the limit of engineering.
For example, Audi has acquired Sauber and promised to F1 and will introduce its own power device in 2026. Rumor has it that a company headquartered in INGOLSTADT is struggling to produce a competitive power unit.
Similarly, Ford is rewritten as a strategic partner of Red Fire.

© Redbull
The team’s manager, Christian Horner, also acknowledged the challenges faced by engine manufacturers. In particular, the team needs to develop a completely new chassis at the same time to comply with modified aerodynamic regulations.
Horner said, “We have been large -scale regulations, have changed the engine and chassis in 26 years, and have partnerships with Ford Motor Company, building a 26 -year engine, which is a big challenge. In the interview Talk sports.
“So we use Ferrari and Mercedes as a subsidiary of Red Fire, which is our greatest challenge in sports.”
Although Watanabe’s admissions can be raised, it is important to recognize that the development timeline of the new regulations is always full of obstacles.
According to the Honda’s history of the F1, the company suggests that despite the initial struggle, the company has the ability to go to the event.
In the recent season, which ends in the recent world championships, the success of Red Bull shows engineering ability.
More than a year before the new regulations are entered into force, manufacturers still have time to improve their design and be competitive at the beginning of the 2026 season.
But the next 12 months will be important because everyone tries to finish the concept of power device.
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