Honda defines Alonso as a “genius” and does not rule him out as a driver on his return to F-1

2023-05-24 13:39:39

• Honda came to the forefront of competition as an engine supplier to McLaren in 2015

Japanese vehicle manufacturer Honda announced this wednesday his return to Formula 1 in 2026 as a supplier of engines and other types of equipment for the team of Aston Martin and said that the Spanish driver Fernando Alonso he is a “genius”.

“The past is the past and Alonso is a very talented driver who we respect,” he said today. Toshihiro Mibepresident of Honda at a press conference where they announced their return to this sport from 2026.

The person in charge of Honda’s sports activities, Koji Watanabeadded: “2026 is the future and we cannot say anything about our selection of driver, since this depends on the team”, although he also praised the Asturian.

Honda will participate in the FIA Formula One® World Championship from the 2026 season as a power unit supplier for @AstonMartinF1

We take on new challenges to advance our electrification technologies by competing in the significantly electrified next-generation F1.#F1…

— Honda Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (@HondaJP) May 24, 2023

The Japanese company’s response comes after Alonso, who is now 41 years old, said in 2015, in a radio interview that McLarenwhich was then supplied by Honda, had a “GP2 engine”.

Honda withdrew from Formula 1 in 2021 to focus its resources on the decarbonization of its models, although they maintain a technical maintenance agreement until 2025 with Red Bullto whom he supplied engines until his last withdrawal, which he will reverse with the team Aston Martin Aramco Honda.

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Mibe explained that many of the firm’s young engineers “have expressed their desire to accept new challenges” and believes that the company can “gain significant value by participating in F1.”

The Japanese manufacturer first participated in Formula 1 in 1964, shortly after bringing its first vehicles to the market. In 2015 it reached the front line of the competition as an engine supplier for McLaren, and four years later it would begin its alliance with Red Bull, for which it continues to provide technical assistance despite its departure as a technology provider in 2021.