Honda aims to achieve the top engine in F1 by 2028.

      "We aim to return to the forefront with our engine."

      Honda is optimistic that it can significantly narrow the gap to Mercedes in the upcoming season and intends to have Formula 1’s top engine by 2028 at the latest. The Japanese company experienced a challenging beginning to its new works partnership with Aston Martin, but confidence has improved following the team’s extensively updated B-spec chassis, which showed promise before the summer break. Honda will introduce its enhancements at Zandvoort, where an upgraded power unit will be unveiled.

      "I believe that while we won’t have the leading engine at the start of 2027, we will be closing the gap to our main competitor," stated Honda's F1 chief engineer Shintaro Orihara in an interview with f1-insider.com. "We will keep striving to have the strongest engine by mid-2027, or at the latest by 2028."

      Orihara emphasized that the goal extends beyond sheer power; it includes optimizing the Honda package to work more effectively with Aston Martin’s evolving chassis. "After the summer break, we want to be right back at the front with our engine," he added. "We are in close discussions with Aston Martin to better integrate our power unit into their new chassis." This comes in the wake of Aston Martin’s significant upgrade package prior to the break, which featured 16 changes and marked a key departure from the previously disappointing launch specification.