Honda F1 Development Could Take Priority Over WEC Program

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Honda Racing Corporation USA’s contribution to Honda’s Formula 1 power unit development could take immediate priority over a potential FIA World Endurance Championship program with the ARX-06 LMDh car.

Recent comments made by HRC President Koji Watanabe to Motorsport.cоm Japan indicated that it’s a “matter of priorities” for HRC, with a WEC program only to be considered once things have “calmed down” on the F1 business front.

The 2026 season will see Honda link up with Aston Martin as part of the introduction of new powertrain regulations.

When asked by Sportscar365 if Watanabe’s comments matches HRC US’ viewpoint, company president David Salters said: “He seems pretty smart, doesn’t he?

“We’re in Formula 1 now so we have to make sure we’re looking after that. We’ll see. All these things get evaluated.”

The comments come amid California-based Honda Performance Development’s recent transition to HRC US, as part of a strengthened relationship with the global Japanese motorsports arm.

“We’ve put this organization together, which just makes sense,” Salters explained. “It’s a big step.

“Our first responsibility is North America, for American Honda and Acura.

“But then it opens up more possibilities. Some of our very talented men and women can help out in some F1 stuff, as needed. We’re doing a little bit of stuff now.

“There could be some more. We’ll see. That’s another opportunity.

“If WEC comes on the table, we’re then empowered to look after that as well, which means we can do global stuff.

“As constantly asked and discussed, that’s really high-level decisions inside Japan because it’s a global thing.

“Can we do well and does it make sense? We keep asking those questions and we’ll keep reviewing them.”

Salters declined to rule out a WEC program with the car in 2025, stating that “all things get evaluated constantly.”

“We’ll evaluate it,” he said. “At the point of which it makes sense for us, we’ll figure it out. We’re constantly evaluating it. We all know to predict the future is pretty hard. Let’s see where we get to.

“Responsibility No. 1, though, is to do a good job here for Acura. That’s what I’m most worried about now.

“Then we’ll look at all that stuff and see where we get to, for what makes sense for Honda, for what makes sense for Acura.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John