Jenson Button can’t help but grin at the irony of Fernando Alonso joining forces with Honda again. Aston Martin recently revealed their plans for a thrilling partnership with the engine manufacturer, starting in 2026. The collaboration opens the door for Alonso to reunite with the Japanese powerhouse, setting aside any past controversies.
In 2015, when Honda made yet another F1 comeback with McLaren, Alonso made quite a statement by branding their engine a “GP2 engine.” What’s more, he did so at Honda’s home ground in Japan.
After enduring three disappointing years, the McLaren-Honda partnership came to an end. However, during this period, Alonso asserted that the only faulty part of their challenger was the power unit.
Old memories brought back for Fernando Alonso
A lot has happened since then. Honda partnered with Red Bull, powering them to two drivers championships and the constructor’s trophy. Alonso has since retired and is unretired; coming back to Renault and then shifting to Aston Martin.
Thus, old wounds are hopefully healed as Aston Martin remains enthusiastic about greater accomplishments. To do so, the calculated move of choosing Honda to join them on the journey has been exciting. This could also mean Honda would again propel Alonso if he continues racing at the age of 44.
As David Croft reckons, this could be a championship-winning partnership, especially with Lawrence Stroll’s ambitions. “I thought Aston Martin had the potential to be the next Red Bull with Lawrence Stroll. He’s a man in business who never folds, who’s not afraid to put his money where his mouth is.”
His former teammate at McLaren, Jenson Button, laughed at the irony. “I love that they have Honda engines, and I think that’s great. What’s even funnier is that Fernando is going to have Honda engines.”
As Alonso’s past catches up to him, Button continued, “He left McLaren or was thrown out, they invited him back. And then he had Honda engines, called them GP2 engines, and now he’s going to have Honda engines again.”
Alonso-Honda comeback could have kinks
While the potential and dream are there, it would be difficult to replicate what Honda did with Red Bull. F1 Pundit Naomi Schiff shares the same fear. “Honda has done great things since then so I think he knows that they have the potential to create an engine that’s very good.”
However, this doesn’t mean it would be all sunshine and rainbows with Alonso and the 2026 partnership. “Yes time is a healer, some people don’t forget, some people do.”
However, there is a long way to go. For now, Alonso needs to focus on winning that 33rd race, and then some. And that is not a far-fetched reality by any means.
