Honda has restructured its Formula 1 power-unit programme, appointing Yoichiro Fukao as Large Project Leader following a difficult start to its return to the sport alongside Aston Martin. The Japanese manufacturer removed Tetsushi Kakuda from his role as head of power-unit development as part of the organisational reshuffle.
Struggling Start to Partnership
The management change reflects the partnership’s early-season struggles, with the Aston Martin-Honda combination currently sitting 10th in the constructors’ standings. The team’s best result so far came at the Dutch Grand Prix, where they managed to secure a ninth-place finish—highlighting the gap between the ambitious partnership and its competitors.
New Leadership Structure
Fukao now takes charge of Honda’s engine development efforts, inheriting Kakuda’s responsibilities during a critical phase of the 2026 project. Alongside this appointment, Shintaro Orihara continues in his position as Head of Trackside General Manager, maintaining continuity in the team’s operational structure.
Aston Martin’s driver Fernando Alonso has been competing in these early races as the partnership looks to establish itself as a competitive force on the grid. The leadership transition signals Honda’s determination to reverse the current trajectory and deliver the performance level expected from the collaboration between the two organizations.