Honda president shares his stance on bringing Max Verstappen from Red Bull to Aston Martin

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Honda have found a new home in Formula 1 with Aston Martin for the 2026 season, and HRC president Koji Watanabe has shared his stance on reuniting with Max Verstappen at the British constructor.

Honda were an integral part of Max Verstappen’s recent success in Formula 1, with their engine collaboration that began ahead of the 2019 season being the missing piece in the puzzle that thrust Red Bull to the top of the food chain.

The Dutchman enjoyed his most dominant period yet in F1 with Honda power behind him, marking the most successful driver for the Japanese engine manufacturer ever.

Ayrton Senna had previously been the flag-bearer for them with 32 wins. Verstappen’s tally of 66 thoroughly trounces the Brazilian’s previous record.

There were discussions surrounding a continuation of Honda’s engine project with Red Bull, but the plan was deemed too risky, and the Tokyo giants opted to look for a new opportunity elsewhere.

• READ MORE: Ted Kravitz names the F1 driver Aston Martin will want if they can’t sign Max Verstappen

Honda president Koji Watanabe would ‘welcome’ Max Verstappen reuniting with them at Aston Martin

While Honda’s ties with Red Bull are officially now severed, that hasn’t stopped Honda HRC president Koji Watanabe from sharing his desire to work with the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s star driver again.

In an interview with Japanese publication Sportiva at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Watanabe was asked about Honda’s chances of teaming up with the four-time world champion again in the future.

He said, “It’s sad to say goodbye today, but we don’t know what the future holds. If the opportunity arises, Honda would of course welcome it.

“We don’t have a team, so we don’t have the right to choose our drivers, but we can have a say in the selection of drivers for the teams we work with. Ultimately, it’s up to the team to decide.”

Honda’s 2026 F1 engine was booted up for the first time at the start of December, and Aston Martin fans were enamoured by the new sound that will be emitted from the team’s new challenger.

The Silverstone-based team are understood to be at an advantage over their rivals due to the new fuel rules that are part of the 2026 regulations.

Aramco, Aston Martin’s fuel supplier, aided the FIA’s initial tests that were held before the regulatory overhaul was announced.

F1 will feature 100% sustainable fuels in 2026, meaning that every single team’s supplier will be under immense pressure to deliver a winning formula.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen should be worried as Ford is ‘still learning a lot’ where Red Bull need the most help

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Koji Watanabe says Max Verstappen’s win at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix made him cry

Watanabe was also asked for his best moment of the seven-year partnership between Red Bull and Honda.

He revealed, “Honda’s first win at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2019 and our title win at the final race of 2021, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, are particularly memorable, but personally, I was so happy at this year’s Japanese Grand Prix that I cried.

“Max took pole position and won the race, even though the conditions didn’t seem very competitive.”

The Honda chief also highlighted how the victory on home soil boosted the Dutchman’s image within their ranks, adding, “I really felt Max’s respect for Honda, and that was conveyed to the members of HRC Sakura, which led to an increase in Max fans within the company.

“I think that victory made my desire to contribute to his title win even stronger. Max himself said, ‘I know how important Suzuka is to Honda,’ and I really felt his feelings.”

Verstappen called his 2025 victory in Japan “the perfect send-off”, leading many to believe that a reunification between one of F1’s most successful driver/engine pairings to happen one day.