Honda to work with Alonso again in 2026, CEO responds: ‘That’s my honest opinion’

Honda CEO Koji Watanabe has no problems working with Fernando Alonso again. In fact, the Japanese are even looking forward to a new partnership with the Spaniard. Watanabe hopes that the partnership at Aston Martin will go better than it did at McLaren a few years ago.

After a disappointing 2014, Alonso decided to close the door at Ferrari and try his luck with the McLaren team, for which he also played in 2007. However, his return to the British team turned out to be an illusion and the world champion of 2005 and 2006 had an idea why. At Suzuka, Honda’s home circuit, Alonso made clear his dissatisfaction with the Japanese power source and called the Honda engine a ‘GP2 engine’. However, it did not end there and the partnership between McLaren and Honda would eventually come to an end after the 2017 season.

Now that Alonso has extended his contract with Aston Martin, this raises several questions. Racing team owner Lawrence Stroll will team up with Honda from 2026, when new motorcycle regulations come into force. In an interview with Motorsport.com Watanabe says he has no problems with Alonso and is interested in a new partnership. “I look forward to winning together again in 2026. That is my honest opinion,” says the Japanese.

“When I worked with him from 2015 to 2017, it was a very difficult situation for Honda and the team,” Watanabe continued. “It was a very frustrating time in our history and there were times when our relationship was tense. But in fact we have become stronger by overcoming that confusion. Alonso has also been working very hard since then. I am happy that we were able to overcome that experience pain together and fight for victory together again. I hope we can go to the championship together and win together.’

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Aston Martin contacted Honda about Alonso

The Aston Martin team was also aware of the history between Alonso and Honda. So the British team first asked how Honda would feel about the partnership with the 42-year-old Spaniard. “We had nothing to do with it before 2025, so it was decided without us.” many and therefore you can interact with the start of the partnership with Aston Martin, so the team talked to me early,” Watanabe reveals.

During that conversation it quickly became clear that both sides agreed on Alonso. “We have had many discussions with Aston Martin regarding our partnership in 2026 and we have also exchanged views on the drivers,” said Honda’s CEO. ‘We agreed that Alonso is a top driver. Aston Martin asked us if it would be a problem for Honda if they extended Alonso’s contract. So it was no surprise, the situation was shared several times. Honda has not made any request in this regard. In any case, we have to discuss which line of drivers we need to win, and it was in this context that the team decided to extend Alonso’s contract,” said Watanabe, who finally also had good words for Alonso.

“He is very dedicated and therefore very open,” the Japanese believe. “It’s a competitive world, so we can’t make it easy for each other. I think we’re good rivals who can seriously compete. I’m looking forward to working with him. This time I definitely want to be able to laugh together,” Watanabe concludes.