Honda Sets Sights on Making Fernando Alonso F1 Title Contender Again

Fernando Alonso is once again in the spotlight in the Formula 1 paddock. This time, it is not about his rumored move to Alpine, but rather Honda's public declaration that they aim to make the Aston Martin driver a title contender again.

In an interview with RacingNews365, Honda's chief engineer Shintaro Orihara emphasized that ambition. "That is our target, definitely. We are working closely, and we know he is a great driver. He has a big passion, and he trusts Honda. So we want to bring what he wants, that is definitely our target," he said.

Honda's confidence in Alonso is not without reason. His 20 years of F1 experience is considered an invaluable technical asset. Orihara noted that when Alonso requests a specific energy deployment before a corner, his opinion must be respected. "He has 20 years of experience. So if Fernando says 'we need this deployment before going into a corner', then we should respect his opinion," Orihara added.

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Alonso was last a serious title contender in 2013, finishing second behind Sebastian Vettel. His last title came nearly 20 years ago with Renault in 2006. Honda wants to change that trend, and the 2026 season is a big test. After a disastrous start, Aston Martin brought a massive upgrade package in Hungary, and the results are beginning to show—Alonso finished 14th and Lance Stroll 13th, their best results of the season.

However, Alonso himself hinted that his future is not determined by team performance, but by regulations. "Driving these cars in places like Spa or Silverstone is not what I'm dreaming of for my future," he said, referring to the energy deployment-centric nature of the new power units, which are less suited to high-speed circuits.

Alonso's decision on whether to stay with Aston Martin or leave will be announced after the summer break. Meanwhile, Adrian Newey, Aston Martin's team principal, remains confident. "I'm pretty confident that Fernando is enjoying his time with us and that we will continue with our relationship," he said.

The first clue on whether Honda's ambition for Alonso will become a reality comes at Zandvoort, where Honda's new power unit makes its much-anticipated debut. Will Alonso be back on the winning track? We'll see.