Honda reveals sound of its 2026 F1 power unit
Honda has unveiled the first sound of its 2026 Formula 1 power unit, previewing the engine note for the sport's next era. The audio reveals the familiar 1.6-liter V6, which will work with triple the electrical power under new rules, as Honda prepares for its factory switch to Aston Martin.
Honda Racing has released the first audio of its 2026 Formula 1 power unit, offering a preview of the engine note for the sport's next technical era. The sound clip, shared on social media, features the 1.6-liter V6 internal combustion engine revving through its gears, providing the clearest indication yet of the acoustic character future F1 cars will possess. This reveal comes as Honda prepares to transition from its championship-winning partnership with Red Bull to become the exclusive factory power unit supplier for Aston Martin starting in 2026.
Why it matters:
The engine sound is a fundamental sensory element of Formula 1, deeply tied to fan experience and the sport's identity. This early reveal by Honda, one of the first manufacturers to do so for the 2026 regulations, signals confidence in its development progress and serves as a major marketing moment for its new partnership with Aston Martin. It also provides a tangible preview of a significant regulatory shift focused on increased electrical power and sustainable fuels.
The details:
The released audio highlights the retained 1.6-liter turbo-hybrid V6 internal combustion engine, a carryover from the current formula. However, the 2026 regulations mandate a massive increase in electrical energy deployment, tripling the power output from the MGU-K. This shift towards a near-50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power is expected to influence drivability and strategy, even if the core engine note remains familiar. Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe emphasized the round-the-clock collaboration with Aston Martin, leveraging the nine-hour time difference between the UK and Japan to advance the project 24 hours a day through a shared "one team" philosophy.
What's next:
The focus now shifts from the sound to the substance: reliability and performance. Honda and Aston Martin will intensify their integration, with engineers embedded at each other's facilities in Sakura and Silverstone. The true test will come when the power unit hits the track in a prototype chassis. While the sound provides an exciting glimpse, the competitive order for 2026 will be determined by which manufacturer best masters the complex new energy management and delivers a drivable, powerful, and reliable package. Honda's early transparency sets a benchmark, and pressure will mount on Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull Ford to showcase their own progress.