HRC's Koji Watanabe - Credit: Race Pictures
Honda boss compares Max Verstappen impact to Ayrton Senna era
17:01, 13 Jan
Updated: 17:16, 13 Jan
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Honda HRC president Koji Watanabe likened Max Verstappen's time with Honda to that of Ayrton Senna's.
“He has meant a lot to our company. His attitude and trust in our engineers have always been motivating. Max will always be in our hearts.”- Koji Watanabe
In 2026, Verstappen will be powered by the Red Bull-Ford engine as Honda starts a new journey with Aston Martin.
Red Bull provided an opportunity for Honda to resurrect its Formula 1 reputation after difficult seasons with McLaren.
Photo: RacePictures
Together, Verstappen and Honda won four consecutive world championships between 2021 and 2024, coming just two points short of a fifth in 2025.
The Honda and Verstappen partnership will go down in F1 history as one of the sport's elite collaborations.
Honda boss Watanabe said, according to Italian outlet Formula Passion: “We have always shared the same goal: to reach the top.
“I am incredibly grateful to have been able to work with such an exceptional driver, someone who treated our team with honesty and respect.
Koji Watanabe and Laurent MekiesPhoto: RacePictures
“It’s something we really appreciate about him. And it’s also why our collaboration worked so well.
“Abu Dhabi was a very emotional weekend after seven years of working together.
“On the one hand, we are looking forward to starting our new adventures, but of course, it is also a bit of a sad moment.
“Max is incredibly popular in Japan. People now associate him with Honda, just like in Senna’s day.
“He has meant a lot to our company. His attitude and trust in our engineers have always been motivating. Max will always be in our hearts.”
Honda will now work with Aston Martin, whose team principal is none other than Adrian Newey, former chief technical officer at Red Bull.
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