Business: Aston Martin reaches agreement with Honda, Aramco and Valvoline
Aston Martin has announced a significant milestone in its preparation for the new 2026 F1 regulations – a technical collaboration agreement signed by the representatives of the team, Aramco, Honda, and Valvoline Global Operations.
Aston Martin will switch from Mercedes power units to Honda engine in 2026 when the sport embarks on a wholly new technical regulation which will lead to the introduction of a power unit that incorporates a 50:50 split between electric and combustion power.
As part of the technical partnership, Aramco will deliver advanced fuels for the Honda power unit. Additionally, Valvoline will provide ubricants for the power-unit and expertise from its 150 years in automotive and industrial solutions.
Aston Martin noted that "all parties will work together with the aim of placing the team at the forefront of performance, reliability and sustainability."
The partnership's technical development builds on Aramco's existing sponsorship agreement with the team, which has enabled close collaboration on a range of technologies that could potentially be deployed in road vehicles – from light-weighting of cars to safety enhancements.
Commenting on the technical partnership, Aston Martin Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll said: "This milestone marks a significant step forward in our journey towards the 2026 F1 season – with the aim of pushing the limits of what is possible.
"The collaboration with Aramco, Valvoline Global, and Honda is now moving at pace, and we are on track to achieve our ambitious goals.
"The joint-efforts in developing advanced fuels and lubricants, along with our new Honda power unit, are set to elevate our on-track performance and we are confident that this partnership will bring substantial success to everyone involved."
Aramco Executive Vice President, Yasser Muftiof commented: "We are incredibly excited about our collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco, Honda Racing Corporation, and Valvoline Global.
"This partnership not only underscores our work with the team, but also highlights our dedication to developing advanced technologies for use in motorsport and the wider automotive industry."
President, Honda Racing Corporation's Preseident Koji Watanabe added: "Working together with Aston Martin, Valvoline Global, and Aramco is a unique collaborative experience.
"We are excited to power the Aston Martin Aramco race car into the new era of Formula One regulations and are proud to be part of this unique partnership with four incredible brands."
Valvoline Global's CEO Jamal Muashsher said: "Our collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco is a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible in motorsport.
"Valvoline's advanced lubricant technologies are playing a mission-critical role in this partnership, and we are excited to see the results of our combined efforts on the track in 2026."
