If you follow Formula 1, you know testing time is precious. Honda wants up to 22 private tests planned for themselves in 2026, and that’s a massive deal for the sport’s future. This bold request is more than just a schedule; it’s a statement of intent for the new engine era. Let’s look at what this means for Honda, their partners, and the competitive landscape.
Honda Wants Up To 22 Private Tests Planned For Themselves In 2026
Honda’s reported ask is staggering. Currently, F1 teams have very limited private testing outside of official sessions. The request for up to 22 private tests in a single year would represent a huge shift in how teams prepare. It highlights the immense challenge of the 2026 power unit regulations. These new rules feature a near-50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power. Getting it right from the start is critical, and Honda clearly believes they need extra track time to do so.
Why 2026 Is Such a Big Deal for F1 Engines
The 2026 power unit regulations are a revolution. The goal is to make the sport more sustainable and relevant to road car technology. The changes are some of the biggest in decades.
- The electrical component’s power will nearly triple. The MGU-K will output around 470 horsepower alone.
- The engine will run on fully sustainable, carbon-neutral fuel.
- The internal combustion engine (ICE) part will be smaller and run at much higher revs.
- There will be a manual override button for drivers to access a burst of extra electrical energy during overtakes.
For a manufacturer like Honda, this isn’t an evolution. It’s a ground-up redesign. The complexity of managing the power delivery between the ICE and the massive electrical system is unprecedented. Every part needs to be tested under real-world conditions, not just on a dyno.
The Strategic Reason Behind the Testing Request
Honda isn’t just asking for more days at the track for fun. This is a calculated strategic move with several clear objectives.
- Getting a Head Start: With Audi entering as a new power unit manufacturer in 2026, the established players want to build an early advantage. Extensive testing could give Honda that edge.
- Validating Simulation Data: Modern F1 relies on complex simulations, but real-world data is irreplaceable. 22 tests would provide a mountain of data to correlate with and improve their digital models.
- Reliability Proving: The new power units will be pushed to their limits. Finding weak points in components during private tests is far better than having a failure during a race weekend.
- Partner Preparation: While the request is for themselves, the data would be crucial for their future works team, Aston Martin, who they will supply from 2026.
Potential Pushback from the FIA and Other Teams
Such a request will not go unchallenged. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) governs the sport’s rules, and other teams will have strong opinions. The principle of fairness is paramount in F1.
- Cost Cap Concerns: F1 operates under a strict budget cap. Would these private tests be exempt? If not, they would consume a huge portion of Honda’s allowed spending, which seems unlikely. If they are exempt, other teams would cry foul.
- Sporting Advantage: Rival power unit suppliers like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault (Alpine) would almost certainly oppose this. They would argue it creates an unbalance that goes against the spirit of the regulations.
- Precedent Setting: Granting this to Honda could open the floodgates. Every manufacturer might demand similar allowances, making the original testing limits meaningless.
How Private Testing Works in Modern F1
To understand why 22 tests is so many, you need to know the current rules. F1 severely restricted private testing in the late 2000s to control costs.
- Official Pre-Season Testing: This is usually just three days, split between two teams, for all teams to run their new cars.
- Filming Days: Teams are allowed a few days (usually two) to run their current cars for marketing purposes. They are limited to 100km per day and must use special demonstration tires.
- Young Driver Tests: Occasionally, there are tests reserved for drivers with limited F1 experience.
- Two-Year-Old Car Testing: Teams can run older cars for general training and tire testing, but these don’t use current components.
Against this backdrop, 22 full private tests with a 2026 prototype is an enormous departure. It’s essentially a return to the unlimited testing days of the past, but for just one manufacturer.
The Aston Martin Factor
Honda’s future is tied to Aston Martin. Starting in 2026, they will be the exclusive power unit supplier for the British team in a full works partnership. This relationship adds another layer to the testing story.
- Any data Honda gathers from these proposed tests would directly benefit Aston Martin’s chassis development. They would understand the power unit’s packaging, cooling needs, and energy management characteristics years in advance.
- This could create a two-tier system in 2026, where Aston Martin has a significant integration advantage over other customer teams. It’s a tricky situation for the FIA to manage fairly.
What This Means for the 2026 Grid
If Honda gets even a portion of their requested tests, it could reshape the competitive order when the new era begins.
- Potential for Dominance: A well-tested, reliable, and powerful 2026 power unit could make Aston Martin an immediate championship contender. We’ve seen how engine advantages can dominate eras (see Mercedes 2014-2021).
- Pressure on Newcomers: Audi, and potentially other new entrants, would be at a massive disadvantage. They would have to rely almost solely on simulation and dyno work without the same track time.
- Accelerated Development: The learning curve in the first year would be incredibly steep. Honda could solve fundamental problems before the first race, while others might be debugging on the fly.
The sports governing body has a tough decision to make. They want to encourage manufacturers like Honda to commit long-term, but they must also protect the sports competitive balance. Finding a compromise will be key. Perhaps they will allow some extra testing for all power unit manufacturers, but with strict conditions and oversight. Or maybe they will permit testing of only certain components, not full systems.
Looking Beyond the Headline Number
While “22 tests” grabs attention, the details matter just as much. What would each test involve?
- Circuit Variety: They would need to test at tracks that represent different challenges—high-speed corners, slow traction zones, and everything in between.
- Component Focus: Some tests might focus solely on the energy recovery system, others on the combustion engine’s reliability under sustained load.
- Software Mapping: A huge part of the work would be developing the complex software that controls the power delivery. This requires endless laps to refine.
It’s also worth noting that Honda has a history of needing extra time to get things right in F1. Their return with McLaren in 2015 was plagued by issues. Their subsequent success with Red Bull shows what they can achieve with a good partnership and sufficient development. This request seems designed to ensure they hit the ground running in 2026, avoiding any repeat of early struggles.
The Bigger Picture: F1’s Technical Arms Race
Honda’s move is a classic example of F1’s relentless technical arms race. Whenever a major rule change looms, teams and manufacturers seek any possible advantage within, or sometimes at the edge of, the regulations.
- This testing request is an opening gambit in a long negotiation. They may not expect to get all 22 days, but by asking for a lot, they might secure a compromise of 8 or 10, which would still be a huge benefit.
- It signals to their competitors that Honda is investing heavily and leaving no stone unturned. This can have a psychological impact, putting pressure on rival engineering departments.
- Ultimately, it highlights that the battle for 2026 isn’t just starting in 2026. It’s already underway in boardrooms and with regulatory discussions today.
FAQ Section
Q: What does “Honda wants up to 22 private tests” actually mean?
A: It means Honda’s F1 engine division has reportedly asked the FIA for permission to conduct as many as 22 separate track sessions with their 2026 power unit prototype, outside of official F1 testing events.
Q: Why is Honda asking for so much testing for the 2026 season?
A: The 2026 engine rules are extremely complex. Honda believes they need extensive real-world track data to ensure their new hybrid power unit is both powerful and reliable from the very first race.
Q: Will other F1 teams like Mercedes and Ferrari agree to this?
A> It is highly unlikely. Other manufacturers would see this as a unfair advantage that breaks the cost-cap and sporting equity principles. They are expected to strongly oppose the request.
Q: How does this affect Aston Martin’s F1 team?
A: As Honda’s works partner starting in 2026, Aston Martin would gain significant insight from any testing. This could give them a major head start in designing their car around the new power unit, potentially making them very competitive early on.
Q: Could this request actually be approved?
A: It faces significant hurdles. A full approval seems improbable, but a compromised solution—like granting all new power unit manufacturers a limited number of extra test days—could be a possible outcome from the discussions.
The story of Honda’s testing request is still unfolding. It’s a clear signal that the 2026 season is already a key focus for the top teams. The decisions made in the coming months about testing allowances will play a crucial role in shaping the grid for the new era. While the number 22 may seem extreme, it underscores the monumental task ahead. For Honda, and for F1, the road to 2026 is going to be as competitive off the track as it will be on it.