Koji Watanabe confirms Honda’s commitment to F1’s electrification amid talks of V8

Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe believes that “electrification is a very important element in moving towards a sustainable future” amid discussions about V8 engines in Formula 1.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem discussed the possibility of introducing cheaper V8 engines to the championship from 2029 during the British Grand Prix weekend.

“To us, the V8 is happening,” Ben Sulayem said. “With the teams now, I’m very optimistic, happy about it. FOM [Formula One Management] is supportive, the teams are realising it is the right way. 

“We need to do it soon. You need three years, so hopefully by 2029 we have something there, but the fuel is also very expensive, and we have to be very careful with that. Transmissions are very expensive. 

“The current engine is so complicated, you have no idea, and it is costly. R&D is reaching $200million, and the engine is costing approximately $1.8million to $2.1million, so if we go with a straight V8, let’s see.” 

He added that “many of the manufacturers produce V8s in their cars, so commercially it’s correct. How much is it? The target is more than 50 percent [cheaper] in everything.”

This comes ahead of the 2026 regulation changes, which will introduce a 50/50 split between internal combustion engine and electric power and the use of sustainable fuels. To Honda, this is an important element for the future of F1.

Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing CEO

Photo by: Motorsport.com Japan

“Honda’s desire for F1 to remain the pinnacle of motorsports remains unchanged,” Watanabe explained to Japanese outlet AS-Web at Silverstone.

“We will continue to discuss what power unit is appropriate for that. Honda’s current position is that we believe that electrification is a very important element in moving towards a sustainable future.”

The Japanese manufacturer will part ways with Red Bull at the end of the current season before the Milton Keynes outfit begins using Red Bull Powertrains equipment in collaboration with Ford in 2026. Honda will not be leaving F1, though, as they are set to join forces with Aston Martin. This means that Honda will reunite with Adrian Newey, now the team’s managing technical partner, at the Silverstone outfit. 

“Aston Martin has already made various requests to improve its competitiveness,” Watanabe explained when asked if Newey had made any specific requests.

“We don’t know if these requests are from Newey, but in addition to Newey, Andy also previously led Mercedes’ power unit department, so he has a good understanding of the power unit side of things.

“It is an advantage for us to have someone like that on the car development side and to be able to proceed with discussions. We have already received requests regarding the [power unit] layout, and a group led by HRC’s Tsunoda [Tetsushi, general manager of F1 power units] is currently coordinating with Aston Martin.”