The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team has reached a significant milestone in preparing for the 2026 F1 regulations by signing a landmark technical collaboration agreement with Aramco, Honda, and Valvoline Global Operations (VGO). This dynamic partnership is poised to revolutionize the team’s approach to the next era of Formula One racing, aiming to drive innovation and achieve on-track success under the new FIA regulations.
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This collaboration brings together world-class expertise and cutting-edge technology from each partner, creating an unparalleled synergy. The primary objective is to maximize Aston Martin Aramco’s competitive potential as the team gears up for the 2026 F1 season and beyond. By pooling their resources and knowledge, these industry leaders are setting the stage for a transformative impact on both the sport and the broader automotive sector.
Key elements of this strategic partnership include Aramco’s commitment to delivering advanced fuels, Honda’s development of a next-generation works power unit featuring a 50:50 balance between electric and combustion power, and Valvoline’s provision of state-of-the-art lubricants. With its 150 years of experience in automotive and industrial solutions, Valvoline will play a crucial role in enhancing the performance and reliability of the power unit. The collaborative efforts aim to propel the team to the forefront of performance, reliability, and sustainability, ensuring that Aston Martin Aramco remains a formidable force on the grid.
This partnership is not just about racing; it also builds upon Aramco’s existing sponsorship agreement with the team, which has fostered close collaboration on a range of advanced technologies. These innovations, from lightweighting vehicles to enhancing safety features, have the potential to transcend the racetrack and find applications in road vehicles, thereby benefiting the wider automotive industry.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating:
“This 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 progressing, and we are on track to achieve our ambitious goals. 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’s Executive Vice President of Products & Customers, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the broader impact of the partnership:
“We are incredibly excited about our collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco, Honda Racing Corporation, and Valvoline Global. This partnership underscores our work with the team and highlights our dedication to developing advanced technologies for use in motorsport and the wider automotive industry.”
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting:
“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. We are proud to be part of this unique partnership with four incredible brands.”
Jamal Muashsher, CEO of Valvoline Global, emphasized the pioneering nature of the collaboration:
“Our collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco 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.”
This agreement marks a new chapter in Aston Martin Aramco’s Formula One journey, with the combined expertise of Aramco, Honda, and Valvoline setting the foundation for a competitive and sustainable future. As the team accelerates towards 2026, this collaboration is set to redefine the possibilities in motorsport, delivering innovations that will shape the next generation of Formula One racing.
