Honda's previous management decided not to renew its Red Bull deal that expired at the end of 2021, right when Red Bull and Honda were starting to harvest the fruits of their partnership.
Honda did not pull out for financial reasons but cited a shift of focus to developing alternative energy forms with a view to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
It was the latest indictment of F1's current power unit regulations which put heavy emphasis on the innovative MGU-H system, which uses exhaust gas heat to generate energy and reduce turbo lag.
The MGU-H plays a large part in the unprecedented thermal efficiency of the current crop of F1 cars, but its detractors argued it also bore little road relevance as it proved a stumbling block for many OEMs to enter the series.
But the 2026 engine regulations will do away with the complicated system and put more emphasis on energy harvested under braking by the MGU-K, which led to several manufacturers giving F1 another look.
Audi decided to join forces with Sauber, which currently runs under the Alfa Romeo moniker, and Red Bull secured Ford as its 2026 works backer.
With Red Bull off the table, Honda Racing Corporation landed on Aston Martin to make a swift return as a fully-fledged power unit manufacturer, while it is still supporting Red Bull with its current power unit.
Honda believes the new engine formula with its larger percentage of electrification and a move towards carbon neutrality has made F1 compatible again with the Japanese giant's mass EV plans.
"The biggest key factor for this decision this time around was the direction that the new 2026 regulations are facing towards, which is moving towards carbon neutrality," said HRC president Koji Watanabe.
Source: Autosport