Overview
- Honda’s Koji Watanabe says 2026 power‑unit rules drove the decision to supply Aston Martin, praising Lawrence Stroll’s leadership and the strengthened AMR campus.
- Aston Martin readies the AMR26 with a new wind tunnel, simulator and factory upgrades plus high‑profile hires Adrian Newey, Andy Cowell and Enrico Cardile, with launch set for February 9.
- Key dates: Red Bull/Ford unveil in Detroit on January 15; Audi on January 20; Alpine, Haas and Ferrari on January 23; Cadillac’s livery reveal during the Super Bowl on February 8; tests run in Barcelona January 26–30 and Bahrain February 11–13 and 18–20.
- Williams boss James Vowles cautions against a 2014‑style engine gap, expecting Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda to be closely matched, noting Williams has worked with Mercedes toward 2026 since early 2024.
- Sergio Pérez says Red Bull’s model centers on Verstappen as he prepares for Cadillac F1, with ex‑driver Derek Daly warning rookie Isack Hadjar of intense pressure alongside Verstappen and allies backing Fernando Alonso if Aston’s package proves competitive.