Verstappen laments Honda’s decision to team up with Aston Martin in F1

By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Auto Racing Writer

MONACO (AP) — World champion Max Verstappen considers Honda’s decision to team up with Aston Martin in 2026 “a bit of a shame” given its successful relationship with Red Bull. Honda officially pulled out as a works program with Red Bull after 2021 — the year Verstappen won the first of his two world titles — and since then Honda has worked as a technical partner for Red Bull. But the Japanese manufacturer announced its return as a factory F1 supplier with Aston Martin in 2026. Verstappen says “it’s a bit unfortunate how all of that turned out” and that “seeing them go to Aston Martin is a bit of a shame.”