Overview
- Honda confirmed on Monday that Yoichiro Fukao will take over as Large Project Leader from Tetsushi Kakuda on October 1, 2026.
- The change is described by Honda as a planned transition designed to accelerate power‑unit development and to embed expertise in younger engineers ahead of rule changes in 2027.
- Honda’s 2026 RA626H power unit suffered severe vibration and reliability failures early in the season that cost Aston Martin results, and a Spec 2 upgrade at Zandvoort improved drivability but delivered only modest lap‑time gains.
- Honda says there will be no further major power‑unit updates this season and that its priority is a substantial performance step targeted for 2027.
- The manufacturer received extra development concessions in May and discussions involving the FIA, Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and Fernando Alonso about further help remain active as the team sits near the bottom of the constructors’ standings on three points.