Honda has set a very precise yet difficult target for the upcoming years, as Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said that the goal of winning the championship will spur both brands to excel.
After difficult years in the sport, Honda closed its F1 chapter in the best way possible by winning the championship with Max Verstappen in 2021. Now, the Japanese outfit will come back into the sport alongside Aston Martin in 2026.
Watanabe revealed to Motorsport.com that the ultimate goal is to become champions again, even though he also admitted that “it is not so easy.”
“To become world champion from 2026 onwards,” he revealed while speaking about the team’s target.
“We know that it will be very difficult, and it is not so easy, but we need some good targets to put in our best effort together with Aston Martin.
“So, that’s why together with Stroll and Toshihiro Mibe [Honda CEO and president], we set the target to just aim for the world championship in that year. In reality, it is not so easy.”
Watanabe added that at the moment, both Aston Martin and Honda are probably “missing something,” but being honest about what is lacking to become the best team on the grid is the first step in the right direction to become champions.
“Probably we’re missing something [right now], but we have to tell each other what is missing,” he said.
“From an Aston Martin point of view, what is missing on the Honda side and also what is missing on the Aston Martin side.
“That is an honest conversation to become a top-class team together.”