Alonso and Honda will re-unite in F1 from 2026 now that the two-time world champion has signed a contract extension with Aston Martin.
It marks a renewal of a partnership that triggered a substantial amount of frustration after they had been at McLaren collectively from 2015 to 2017, as Honda’s engines proved to be uncompetitive.
The partnership reached a public nadir on the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix when Alonso famously got here on group radio and labelled the Honda a ‘GP2 engine.’
The troubled relationship had prompted some doubts about whether or not Alonso and Honda might work collectively once more, however that debate has now been put to mattress with their future in F1 sorted.
And Honda Racing Company president Koji Watanabe has now defined that his firm’s relationship with Alonso has moved on enormously.
Talking solely to Motorsport.com about working with Alonso once more following the cruel feedback he made within the McLaren period, Watanabe mentioned: “After I labored with him from 2015 to 2017, it was a really tough scenario for each Honda and the group.
“It was a very irritating interval in our historical past, and there have been occasions when our relationship was strained.
“However, I believe we have now develop into stronger as a result of we overcame that frustration. Alonso has additionally been very lively since then.
“I am glad that we will overcome that painful expertise collectively and struggle collectively for victory as soon as once more. I hope that we will intention for the championship collectively and win collectively.”
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Group
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
Watanabe has revealed that he started speaking to Alonso once more on the finish of final 12 months, with Honda’s 2026 take care of Aston Martin having made it attainable they may find yourself working collectively once more.
“I spoke with him in Las Vegas,” he mentioned. “On the time, he hadn’t selected his subsequent contract but.
“However Alonso got here once we had been speaking with [team principal] Mike Krack. He mentioned: ‘Good luck’ and ‘If we have now an opportunity, let’s race collectively.’ We simply spoke a number of phrases.”
Alonso’s troubled historical past with Honda had not been ignored by Aston Martin because it concluded negotiations to develop into the Japanese producers’ works companion from 2026.
However following discussions about whether or not there could be any drawback in him staying on board for the brand new period, Honda made it clear that it was delighted to have him.
“We had many conversations with Aston Martin concerning our partnership beginning in 2026,” added Watanabe.
“Throughout that point, we exchanged opinions about drivers too and we shared an understanding between us and Aston Martin that Alonso was undoubtedly a top-class driver.
“Aston Martin requested us if there could be any issues from Honda in the event that they prolonged Alonso’s contract. The scenario was shared at numerous levels.
“However Honda didn’t make any requests concerning this matter. In any case, we must always naturally talk about what sort of driver line-up we have to win, and it was on this context that the group determined to increase Alonso’s contract.”
Watch: Alonso Commits to Aston Martin with Multi-12 months Extension