Partnership expected to drive the development of a Formula One car designed with 50-50 split between electric and combustion power.
Representatives at signing of a technical collaboration agreement by Aramco, Honda, and Valvoline Global Operations include, from left Yasser M. Mufti, Lawrence S. Stroll, Koji Watanabe, and Jamal Muashsher.
The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team today (Sept. 4) announced a significant milestone in its preparation for the new 2026 F1 regulations: a technical collaboration agreement signed by the representatives of the team, Aramco, Honda, and Valvoline Global Operations (VGO).
The dynamic partnership is united in the aim to drive forward the development of the 2026 Formula One car under new FIA regulations for on-track success.
The collaboration aims to leverage each of the world-class partners’ expertise and technology to create the best possible opportunities for the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team as it gets ready for the 2026 F1 season and beyond.
As part of this strategic partnership, Aramco will deliver advanced fuels, with Honda developing a new works power unit that incorporates a 50-50 split between electric and combustion power.
Additionally, Valvoline will provide leading-edge lubricants for the power-unit and expertise from its 150 years in automotive and industrial solutions. All parties will work together with the aim of placing the team is at the forefront of performance, reliability and sustainability.
The partnership’s technical development builds on Aramco’s existing sponsorship agreement with the team, which has enabled close collaboration on a range of technologies that could potentially be deployed in road vehicles – from light-weighting of cars to safety enhancements.
Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team, said the milestone “marks a significant step forward in our journey towards the 2026 F1 season — with the aim of pushing the limits of what is possible.
“The collaboration with Aramco, Valvoline Global, and Honda is now moving at pace, and we are on track to achieve our ambitious goals,” Stroll added. “The joint-efforts in developing advanced fuels and lubricants, along with our new Honda power unit, are set to elevate our on-track performance and we are confident that this partnership will bring substantial success to everyone involved."
Yasser Mufti, Aramco executive vice president of Products and Customers, said, "We are incredibly excited about our collaboration with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, Honda Racing Corporation, and Valvoline Global.
“This partnership not only underscores our work with the team, but also highlights our dedication to developing advanced technologies for use in motorsport and the wider automotive industry.”
— Yasser M. Mufti
Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, said that working together with Aston Martin, Valvoline Global, and Aramco “is a unique collaborative experience. We are excited to power the Aston Martin Aramco race car into the new era of Formula One regulations, and are proud to be part of this unique partnership with four incredible brands."
Jamal Muashsher, CEO, Valvoline Global, said: "Our collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team is a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of what is possible in motorsport. Valvoline's advanced lubricant technologies are playing a mission-critical role in this partnership, and we are excited to see the results of our combined efforts on the track in 2026."
— The Arabian Sun: September 04, 2024