Honda appoints new head of F1 engine program

Honda has announced a new head of its Formula 1 power unit project as it looks to accelerate its development with Aston Martin.

The Japanese manufacturer has struggled under new regulations in 2026, having redistributed a number of personnel from its previous engine program when it originally announced it was pulling out of F1 at the end of 2021. Since returning as a full manufacturer this year with Aston Martin, the Honda power unit has been the least competitive on the grid, and the team sits 10th in the constructors’ championship after having scored just three points so far.

In a statement that said it is making changes “with the aim of further accelerating PU development and ensuring a smooth transition to the next generation of engineers”, Honda announced Yoichiro Fukao will take over the leadership of its power unit program from Tetsushi Kakuda, effective October 1.

“This organizational change is a planned transition designed to ensure the reliable transfer of technical expertise to the next generation of engineers,” the Honda statement read. “Following the introduction of the new regulations in 2026, and with further regulatory changes expected from 2027 onwards, Honda aims to establish a robust development framework and deliver a highly competitive PU by transitioning to the new structure at an early stage.”

Fukao has worked for Honda since 2002 – including early spells in F1 and MotoGP roles – and been a part of Honda’s F1 project consistently since 2014. Originally a control system development manager, Fukao rose to the position of deputy leader of the F1 project in 2017.

Honda has been afforded the greatest development flexibility via the FIA’s additional development and upgrade opportunity (ADUO) mechanism so far this year, though a new specification of power unit introduced in Zandvoort has not made a significant difference to its competitive position.