Honda is officially making a return to F1 and will be supplying power units to Aston Martin from 2026 onwards. Fans, however, are taking this opportunity to remind Fernando Alonso of the horrific time he endured with Honda during their last stint together.
After leaving Ferrari at the end of the 2104 season, Alonso made a return to McLaren. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the McLaren of old he left behind in 2008. They were struggling immensely with their engine supplier Honda’s reliability woes affecting the team almost every other weekend.
AMF1 Team has today announced it is entering into a works partnership with Honda from 2026.
The Japanese manufacturer will supply power units to the team from the 2026 season.
Find out more below.
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) May 24, 2023
Alonso, who is a two-time world champion, didn’t enjoy driving for a team that wasn’t even able to break into the midfield. In fact, the car was so slow that he publicly mocked his team by calling the power unit a ‘GP2 engine’. Now at Aston Martin, Alonso is enjoying a return to the front of the grid.
However, fans have started reminding Alonso about his woes with Honda. These jokes began circulating all over social media after the Japanese company’s future partnership with Aston Martin was revealed earlier this week.
Fans remind Fernando Alonso of Honda woes
When Aston Martin announced their partnership with Honda earlier this week, the first name some fans could think of was Alonso’s. This is because Alonso struggled immensely during their previous stint.
An account on Twitter going by the name Dr Nibbles, posted a hilarious video depicting Alonso’s reaction he realizes he has to drive a car with Honda engines again.
Fernando Alonso when the Aston Martin gets the honda engine. #F1 pic.twitter.com/sQQhRezHBS
— Dr Nibbles (@cyborgste) May 23, 2023
McLaren is a British team, just like Aston Martin. This led to same fans like #CL16 to compare the current situation to his stint with McLaren.
What ? Fernando Alonso back with Honda engine in a English car team ? pic.twitter.com/wpTytn2pGj
— #CL16 🆑🏎️ (@AmScuderia) May 23, 2023
“Also, Fernando Alonso.. in another Honda powdered car? Those flashbacks are going to hit so hard,” another Twitter account wrote.
Also, Fernando Alonso.. in another Honda powdered car? Those flashbacks are going to hit so hard pic.twitter.com/M8aPoGAImE
— Nikola (ain’t) Jokin’. (@F1_Tonio) May 24, 2023
Honda has no problem with Alonso
When Alonso last worked with Honda, the Japanese manufacturers were in a major slump. However, since leaving McLaren, they have regrouped and are now a force to reckon with. In 2021, they powered the car that guided Max Verstappen to championship glory.
Alonso will be 44 years old in 2026, so there is a high chance that he may retire by the time Aston Martin start using Honda engines. Nevertheless, as per The Race, Honda don’t seem to have a problem with Alonso continuing to drive cars powered by their engines, despite their previously sour relationship.
For now, however, Alonso is completely focused on the 2023 season. He is enjoying a stellar campaign, and is P3 in the standings currently. Other than Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, he has statistically been the best this year.
