---
title: "Honda’s F1 Engine for 2026 Sounds Phenomenal"
date: "2025-12-12"
modified: "2025-12-12"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/hondas-f1-engine-for-2026-sounds-phenomenal"
categories:
  - "F1"
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
---

# Honda’s F1 Engine for 2026 Sounds Phenomenal

![Honda Racing logo during the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi post-season testing at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on December 9, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto)](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GettyImages-2250431777.jpg>)
*\<em\>Jakub Porzycki\</em\>*

Honda released the first sound bite of its 2026 [Formula 1](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/f1>) engine, which will power the [Aston Martin](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-will-supply-f1-engines-to-aston-martin-in-2026>) F1 cars of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll next season. This marks a big milestone for the Japanese automaker's [racing division, HRC](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-honda-marked-a-new-racing-era-in-mexico-60-years-after-its-first-f1-win>), which has been working tirelessly on the new power unit rules package set by the FIA.

The clip was shared on Aston's social media pages, as well as Honda's, of course. However, no other info was provided besides the audio and the matching graphic, which highlights the 1.6-liter's mind-blowingly quick revs—especially during downshifts.

Happy listening.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSKO61gjMKa/

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## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)