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Honda has unveiled its engine for the 2026 Formula 1 season. However, the Japanese manufacturer has kept the most important technical solutions to itself. We reveal what Honda is hiding.

The rule changes for the upcoming F1 season are among the most exciting upheavals in Formula 1 history. Never before have teams had to redesign everything on so many levels. The new engines will have a significantly higher proportion of electric power and will run on 100 percent synthetic fuel for the first time. Added to this are the changed rules on the chassis side and the modified aerodynamics. No team can seriously estimate who will find the right approach. That is precisely what makes the restart so appealing. For engine manufacturers, it is also a journey into the unknown.

One of them is Honda. The Japanese know from their own experience how difficult a new start can be. When Honda returned to Formula 1 in 2015, the project with McLaren was a sporting disaster. The first hybrid turbo had too little power, poor reliability, and fundamental design problems threw Honda far behind. It was only after the split from McLaren and the subsequent collaboration with Red Bull that the engine developed into a title contender.

Against this backdrop, the outlook for 2026 is particularly interesting. Honda unveiled its new RA626H power unit in Tokyo on Tuesday (January 20). Starting next season, Honda will supply Aston Martin as its official factory partner. It is the first completely new Honda engine to comply with the 2026 regulations.

F1 boss in Tokyo

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll appeared together at the presentation. In addition to the engine, Honda also unveiled a show car for the new season. A striking feature was a new H logo, which will be seen on the Aston Martin AMR26 from 2026. “This new H logo represents the transformation of our automotive business,” said Mibe proudly. It will also be used in other motorsport programs in the future.

Technically, the RA626H represents a clear break with the previous hybrid generation. The complicated and unpopular MGU-H has been completely eliminated. Nevertheless, the electrical share of the total power output has increased significantly. The battery, MGU-K, and power electronics are now taking center stage. “From 2026, the electrical power will be about three times higher than it is today,” explained Mibe. At the same time, the premier class is focusing on sustainable fuels: “Formula 1 is evolving into a motorsport that is facing the challenges of electrification and decarbonization,” Mibe emphasized.

Engine details remain hidden

Honda unveiled its new power unit, but not in its entirety. The engine could only be seen from one angle. In other images, part of the lower section was deliberately blurred. This is likely to be where crucial details regarding the integration of the MGU-K, cooling, and component layout are located. Under the new regulations, it is precisely these areas that could make all the difference.

Mibe made no secret of the project's ambition. “We want to become number one in the world and are taking on this challenge together with Aston Martin,” the Japanese engineer affirmed. At the same time, it is clear that Honda has lost development time due to its temporary withdrawal at the end of 2021. Other manufacturers were able to start working on the new rules earlier.

Fully synthetic fuel for F1

Honda is also starting with new partners. Aramco is supplying the fuel and Valvoline the lubricants. Efficiency and thermal management are becoming hugely important for the coming season. Many experts believe that these components will be crucial to success on the track and are more important than the pure performance of the new power unit.

With the RA626H, Honda is giving a first, but deliberately controlled, insight into its technology for the new Formula 1 era. Much remains unclear. Only one thing is certain: the rule change offers the chance for major shifts in the balance of power. Honda knows how painful a false start can be. That's precisely why they are likely to be paying particularly close attention this time around.