Honda eyes Verstappen as Aston Martin link grows

Honda Racing president hints at desire to work with four-time champion again as new partnerships form for F1 2026

Honda Racing president Koji Watanabe has openly expressed his desire to reunite with Max Verstappen in the future, as the Japanese manufacturer prepares to end its successful partnership with Red Bull and begin a new chapter with Aston Martin from 2026.

The timing of these comments comes amid swirling speculation about Verstappen's long-term future at Red Bull, with recent reports suggesting Aston Martin might be assembling a massive financial package to lure the Dutch champion away.

Honda's farewell to Red Bull

After powering Verstappen to four consecutive World Championships, Honda will depart Red Bull following the 2025 season.

The separation comes as Red Bull transitions to becoming an engine manufacturer in its own right under the new F1 2026 regulations.

The Honda-Verstappen partnership has produced unprecedented success since their first victory together at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix.

That moment remains particularly significant for Watanabe.

"The first thing that comes to my mind is still Max's first win in 2019 in Austria,"

Watanabe told De Telegraaf.

"And especially that when he pointed to the Honda logo on his chest on the podium. That gave all our staff so much joy and pride."

This gesture carried special weight following Honda's difficult return to Formula 1. The manufacturer endured three challenging seasons with McLaren before finding success with Red Bull.

Aston Martin's rumored $300 million offer

Speculation about Verstappen's future intensified recently when Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Aston Martin was preparing a $300 million offer to secure his services.

The British team will begin receiving Honda power units in 2026, creating a potential path for Verstappen to reunite with the Japanese manufacturer.

Aston Martin responded to these rumors without directly denying the reported interest in Verstappen.

They emphasized commitment to their current driver lineup while avoiding any definitive statement on future plans.

"It's normal for the media to speculate on driver market, but we have an amazing driver line-up that we are committed to and who are under contract for 2026 and beyond," a team spokesperson told

Honda's open desire for future collaboration

Watanabe made no secret of Honda's wish to work with Verstappen again in the future, though he emphasized their current priorities remain elsewhere.

"First of all, we are doing everything we can to help him get his fifth World title this year. And after that, our focus is on our partnership with Aston Martin,"

Watanabe said.

"But I must honestly say that I hope that one day an opportunity will present itself again for Honda to work with Max Verstappen. I sincerely hope so."

The Japanese executive praised Verstappen's communication style with Honda's engineers, noting how this created strong bonds within the technical team.

"I have spoken to him many times and he has always been positive about our attitude and mentality. Max is also very communicative towards the Honda engineers. He talks to them clearly and that makes the engineers become fans of him and very dedicated."

The Newey factor

Beyond Honda power, moving to Aston Martin would also reunite Verstappen with legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey.

After departing Red Bull last year, Newey joined Aston Martin as managing technical partner and shareholder, with his exclusive focus on the team's 2026 car.

This combination of Honda power and Newey's technical expertise could prove compelling, despite Verstappen's recent reaffirmation of commitment to Red Bull at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The performance clause in Verstappen's contract, which runs until 2028, potentially offers him an exit route should Red Bull's competitiveness decline.

This contractual flexibility keeps the door open for what would be one of the most significant driver moves in recent Formula 1 history.