F1 Today | Madrid GP branded 'complete disaster' as Honda overhaul F1 structure

Honda have confirmed a leadership change within their Formula 1 power unit programme as the Japanese manufacturer continues its technical partnership with Aston Martin. The revised structure will come into effect on 1 October and concerns the programme responsible for the power unit currently supplied to the British team.

Yoichiro Fukao will take over as Large Project Leader after previously serving as Deputy Leader of Honda Racing Corporation's F1 project. He will succeed Tetsushi Kakuda, who has led the development of Honda's Formula 1 power unit until now, bringing a change at the top of the manufacturer's engine programme.

Honda's decision is aimed at ensuring technical expertise is effectively passed on to the next generation of engineers while strengthening its development structure for the years ahead. With the 2026 regulations now in place and further regulatory changes expected from 2027 onwards, Honda wants to establish a robust framework capable of delivering a highly competitive power unit.

Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente has joined the criticism of the MADRING following the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix. Puente took to X to deliver a damning assessment of the new venue, describing the race as "a complete disaster" and taking particular aim at a circuit layout he believes makes overtaking virtually impossible.

Puente compared the MADRING to "Monaco 2, but faster", arguing that the Grand Prix effectively became a train of cars from start to finish. According to the Spanish minister, changes in the running order were driven solely by strategy rather than overtaking on track, underlining his dissatisfaction with the spectacle produced by the new circuit.

His comments bring a political voice into the growing criticism surrounding the MADRING after its first Formula 1 race produced almost no overtaking. The circuit is now facing mounting pressure for changes following its inaugural event, with the lack of passing and on-track action at the heart of the backlash.