According to Crash.net, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has confirmed major changes at the top end of its management structure, which will take effect at the conclusion of the 2026 racing season. The Japanese manufacturer announced that current President and CEO Koji Watanabe will officially retire on January 1, 2027.
Stepping in to replace Watanabe as the new President and CEO of HRC will be the current Executive Vice President and Representative Director, Keiichi Yasuda. This crucial leadership transition marks a significant chapter for Honda as they prepare for extensive global motorsport challenges.
"I consider it my mission to firmly inherit the solid foundation built by Watanabe," Yasuda stated. He emphasized that his primary goal is to unite everyone's vector toward winning while heavily investing in people and strengthening the organizational framework.
Reflecting on his tenure, Koji Watanabe looked back at his journey since 2020 when he began integrating automobile racing development into HRC, eventually unifying both motorcycle and automobile motorsport activities under a single banner in 2022. Under his watch, Honda committed to returning to Formula 1 and expanding its global footprint by establishing HRC US and HRC UK.
"It is my honor serving as a president of HRC with the wonderful colleagues," Watanabe said. He added that for the remaining months of his presidency, he remains fully committed to pushing for victory until the very end of his term.
This structural evolution comes as Honda gears up for new technical regulations in MotoGP, featuring the high-profile arrival of Fabio Quartararo to the factory squad. Simultaneously, HRC is preparing for its 2027 Formula 1 power unit supply partnership with Aston Martin, featuring drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
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