Koji Watanabe, president of HRC: “I want and hope that Fernando Alonso continues in 2027. It is extremely important for Honda”
Smiling and close, despite the fact that the procession was inside because it was a Crucial weekend for Honda and Aston Martin for the premiere of the engine evolution, one hour before the start of the classification of the Dutch GP, Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), agreed to attend Mundo Deportivo.
We attended the event with a gift from one of the most legendary and recognized photographers in the paddock, the Spanish José María Rubio, who from the golden years of Ayrton Senna He kept a signed photograph of the Brazilian driving the Lotus 99T from 1987, the first year in which Ayrton, who was like a son to the founder of the company, drove an engine from the company with which he would end up making history.
That past is the reflection of what Honda wants to repeat, now with Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso.
Honda worked with Senna and Verstappen and together with them faced challenges until making history. And now, he works with Fernando Alonso. What can you tell me about the brand’s philosophy of overcoming complicated challenges to success?
Basically, every challenge has made us stronger. And behind every success there are countless challenges. It happened to us with Senna and Max. Success comes after overcoming every challenge, and none of us doubts it. The members of HRC Sakura, HRC UK and Aston Martin at Silverstone are working together to overcome the difficulties. We are in the midst of a challenge, on the path to success.
We are in the midst of a challenge, on the path to success
Alonso said he has no doubt that it is only a matter of time before Honda solves its problems and makes a cutting-edge engine. Where is Honda in that process?
We are precisely in the process of shortening the time to arrive. We know what we have to do in the development of the power unit (engine and electrical part assembly). So now we are working to make it happen.
How much time do they need?
We can’t say exactly (laughter).
I ask you another way: When do you think Honda will make one of the best engines?
My answer to everyone is the same: I can’t say when.
No approximate date? We know that it is a long process and that this step, with the new engine, could be crucial.
Of course. Today’s specification 2 is the first step to improve the situation. And every year we will get closer. Our goal is to win.
What can you say about the difficult situation experienced at the beginning?
Because we started development very late, we need to make up ground. And making up ground is not easy because of the budget limit and everything else. But of course, by using the ADUO regulations and accelerating development, we must be able to get closer.
There was a problem, but now there is no longer one, because we have already hired enough engineers, both in quantity and quality. So now we’re fine
Does Honda need to continue signing more talent or improve any areas? Because that was one of the initial problems.
Yes, there was a problem, but now there is no longer one, because we have already hired enough engineers, both in quantity and quality. So now we’re good.
It is said that they have recovered people who worked at Honda with Red Bull. Is that so?
Yes that’s how it is.
Have they recovered all the engineers from that project with Red Bull to work on the current one with Aston Martin?
Not all the people, but the important people who worked there have returned to the F1 project.
After a very difficult start, is Honda now fully prepared for success?
Of course yes, we are fully prepared. But all teams evolve every day. And catching up means being faster in that evolution, and it is not easy.
We have recovered people from the project with Red Bull. Not all of them, but the most important ones. Now we are fully prepared. But all teams evolve every day. And catching up means being faster in that evolution, and it is not easy
Newey has already got the car on the right track with a very good chassis to improve upon. What expectations do you have for 2027 with Aston Martin?
We should focus on today and this Sunday, as this race (in Zandvoort) is quite important. Then, step by step, we will get closer to the leading teams. So next year, of course, we will be much, much higher compared to the current situation.
In 2027, of course, we will be much, much higher compared to the current situation
How important has it been for you that Alonso defended Honda publicly in recent months, before the media?
For Honda that has been very important. Alonso is a fantastic driver and it is extremely important for us to be able to work with him. Your feedback on the car is very accurate and really helps us advance our development.
Alonso’s public defense of Honda. For us it has been very important
Alonso has not yet decided whether to continue driving in F1 in 2027. Do you want to continue with him?
Yes of course!. We want to continue working with Alonso. Being able to face a challenge alongside a driver with such extraordinary passion is very, very important for Honda. And although right now we are not in the position we want, together with Alonso our goal is to become one of the leading teams in Formula 1.
Do you think it will continue in 2027?
Yes, I hope so, that it continues.
What would it mean to win alongside Alonso?
We would make history. History for Alonso, but also for Honda.
Being able to face a challenge alongside a driver like Alonso, with such extraordinary passion, is very, very important for Honda. Together with Alonso, our goal is to become one of the leading teams in F1
What is it like working alongside Newey, so closely, on this challenge? Will it make you stronger?
It can make the team stronger. I have said it before, that each challenge has made us stronger and, without a doubt, we are getting stronger with Adrian and with the team.
What is it like to work with him?
We work very closely and very well together. Of course, with today’s new regulations, a new partner and a new fuel, it is not easy to form a single team from the beginning. Since we had a very difficult start, in order to overcome a situation like this we have had very close and deep conversations, and that has made our communication much better.
With Newey we work very closely and very well together. To overcome a situation like this we have had very close and deep conversations, and that has made our communication much better.
Have you dreamed or do you dream of the idea of winning a championship with Aston Martin and Alonso? Do you think about it despite the difficulties?
Yes of course. For that we are developing the project and we have established this partnership with Aston Martin and Alonso. Why not?
Are you 100% sure they will win with Alonso and Aston?
No one can guarantee it 100%, but our goal is to win, 100%.
I dream of winning a title with Alonso, that’s why we are in this project. Are you sure you can achieve it? No one can be, but I am sure that our goal is that
What is Honda’s position regarding a possible return of V8 engines in 2031?
What do you think? (Laughs). It’s very simple. First of all, I have not received any official proposal from the FIA yet. Of course, I have read the news, but that is why I cannot give a definitive answer. But, as F1 is the top series of global motorsport, we believe that F1 technology must be at the forefront and must be sustainable. That’s important. But we are totally open to discussing how to get such a power unit.
First we are going to compete again and recover a competitive state, and then we will continue working to aspire to something even bigger.’
What message do you send to fans for the future?
Yes, this is very important. Here is my message: ‘Your support gives us strength, so thank you to the Spanish fans for your support and encouragement. It is clear that right now we are not in the position we want to be in, but first we are going to compete again and regain a competitive state, and then we will continue working to aspire to something even bigger.’
