Honda reveals difficulties with the development of the 2026 F1 power unit
Ahead of the sweeping technical changes in 2026, Honda Racing Corporation's President Koji Watanabe has revealed that the engine manufacturer are facing a series of difficulties currently.
Although Max Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive title last season, Red Bull failed to repeat their success from the previous two seasons. In fact, the Milton Keynes-based outfit finished only third in the teams' standings as both McLaren and Ferrari collected more points courtesy of a very strong second half of the season from both the Woking and the Maranello-based squads.
Red Bull will now embark on their last season with Honda acting as their supplier before the Japanese manufacturer joins forces with Aston Martin and the Austro-British outfit starts building their own power unit from 2026.
Following the season finale at Abu Dhabi, Honda Racing Corporation's President Koji Watanabe reckoned that the Japanese manufacturer will try to help Red Bull reclaim the teams' title next season.
However, talking about their 2026 engine development, Watanabe has now revealed that the engine manufacturers are facing a series of difficulties currently.
“Not so easy. We are struggling. Now we are trying our best to show the result next year. Everything is new. The motor is a new 355-kW, very compact one we need.
"Also the lightweight battery, it’s not so easy to develop. And also the small engine with the big power. Everything is very difficult, but we try our best.”
