Many engine suppliers, few teams: 'Last option rules out Honda'

With Honda's decision to sign up as an engine supplier in Formula 1 in 2026 after all, the carmaker will be the sixth engine builder from then on. With only 10 teams on the grid, it looks like a fight for customer teams.

Besides Mercedes, Ferrari, Alpine(Renault), Red Bull Powertrains, and Audi, Honda will also be back on the grid in 2026. At least, if they can get rid of F1 engines to a team. The five aforementioned brands will all supply engines to their own teams. Red Bull will also supply to AlphaTauri as the collaboration between the two teams is secured for the future.

Where should Honda go with F1 engine?

For Honda, that leaves only Williams, McLaren, Aston Martin, and Haas. It may be quite a struggle for the Japanese brand to find a team willing to take engines. It seems McLaren will not be so quick to re-engage with Honda and vice versa, after the failed 2015-2017 campaign. Aston Martin already has strong ties with Mercedes and Haas has those same ties with Ferrari. The last remaining option, Williams, has also already said no.

The-Race.com quotes Williams team boss James Vowles: "It's difficult to comment on this because I don't know exactly what facilities they have. I just think at the moment they are too far away from where they need to be to be a serious contender." The only outcomes for Honda to find a buyer for its engines are: The case of Aston Martin or Haas breaking ties with the current supplier, McLaren seeing it again after all, or if new teams join. In the latter case, it would be advisable for Honda to make a deal with any new team now and try to appear on the grid together as a combined force.