Honda Racing Corporation has replaced Formula 1 power unit development leader Tetsushi Kakuda with Yoichiro Fukao, effective October 1, 2026. The leadership shake-up arrives as Honda and Aston Martin struggle through a difficult debut campaign, sitting last in the constructors’ championship with just three points.
Formula 1’s newest works partnership is undergoing a high-level restructuring. Honda Racing Corporation announced that Fukao, currently serving as deputy F1 project leader and head of the software division, will step in as the new large project leader. Kakuda previously oversaw the power unit development that secured four consecutive drivers’ titles with Red Bull.
Honda framed the transition as a planned succession designed to transfer technical expertise to the next generation of engineers. The manufacturer also aims to establish a development framework ahead of further regulatory changes expected from 2027.
“This organisational change is a planned transition designed to ensure the reliable transfer of technical expertise to the next generation of engineers.”
Honda, official statement via Motorsport.com
Performance Deficits and the Zandvoort Spec 2 Upgrade
The leadership change follows 14 rounds of a wretched debut campaign alongside Aston Martin. The AMR26 suffered severe vibration issues from the outset of the season, with reliability failures wiping out both cars during the opening three races. While a Spec 2 upgrade introduced at Zandvoort addressed the worst of the vibrations, it also exposed a driveability challenge that forced Honda to spend weeks retuning combustion characteristics.
Honda’s trackside general manager Shintaro Orihara noted that the upgrade delivered a genuine step in raw output, estimated between 0.05 and 0.1 seconds per lap. Yet that gain remained modest compared to the two-second deficit Aston Martin faced against the front runners. Orihara defended the development process in an interview with AS-Web Japan, insisting that the initial struggles were a necessary part of refining the power unit.
“While there are certainly challenges regarding drivability, we’ve confirmed that performance will improve if we take action and follow the improvement process, so we don’t consider Spec 2 a failure.”
Shintaro Orihara, Honda chief trackside officer, via F1 Oversteer
Chassis Upgrades Versus Power Unit Limitations
Aston Martin has attempted to remedy its uncompetitive pace through chassis developments led by design legend Adrian Newey. The Silverstone-based team implemented a 16-element aerodynamic upgrade at the Hungarian Grand Prix, introducing a reworked floor, diffuser, front wing, sidepod inlets, and rear wing.
Alonso sits 19th in the drivers’ standings with a best finish of ninth at the Dutch Grand Prix, while Stroll has yet to score points. Both Aston Martins retired at Monza, where Stroll suffered a hydraulic issue and Alonso sustained damage after running wide over a kerb.
Navigating ADUO Concessions and the Road to 2027
Formula 1’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system grants extra homologation upgrades and cost-cap relief to power unit manufacturers that fall behind the fastest benchmark.
“This is the only major update for this year. The major update will be in 2027.”
Shintaro Orihara, Honda trackside general manager, via RacingNews365