The Honda Racing Corporation is set for a major leadership transition following the announcement that current CEO Koji Watanabe will step down from his role, with the change becoming effective on January 1. The top executive position at the Japanese manufacturer will be taken over by long-standing stalwart Keiichi Yasuda as the organization prepares for its next chapter in global motorsport competition.
Koji Watanabe, who originally took over the leadership reins back in 2022, has opted to retire from his position after overseeing a demanding period for the brand's premier racing programs. His tenure notably featured the marque's much-discussed return to Formula 1 through an exclusive power unit supply partnership with Aston Martin, a high-profile project that faced various early reliability and performance hurdles since pre-season testing.
Despite seeing the Silverstone-based squad frequently struggling at the rear of the field during the opening phase of the campaign, both brands have maintained a collaborative approach to implement effective technical solutions. This collective persistence recently manifested on track when Fernando Alonso drove brilliantly to secure a hard-fought eighth-place finish during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.
Reflecting on his departure, outgoing president Koji Watanabe expressed immense pride in leading the motorsport division alongside dedicated colleagues. He affirmed his total commitment to pushing for maximum performance until his tenure officially concludes. “It is my honor serving as a president of HRC with the wonderful colleagues,” Watanabe stated. “For the remaining three months of my presidency, I will continue to do my utmost, aiming for victory until the very end.”
Incoming CEO Keiichi Yasuda, who boasts a remarkable 36-year history with the Japanese manufacturer and has served as HRC Executive Vice President, is poised to harness his extensive management background to drive future success. Emphasizing human resources and organizational strength, Yasuda outlined his clear vision for the squad moving forward. “I consider it my mission to firmly inherit the solid foundation built by Watanabe. Evolve it further, unite everyone’s vector toward the single goal of winning in races, and make HRC even stronger,” Yasuda declared.
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