The automotive industry often adheres to the mantra, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” This succinct phrase captures the essence of motorsport for manufacturers. Victory translates to business success, and Honda has enjoyed significant success in Formula 1 in recent years. With that in mind, could a hypercar be on the horizon to celebrate this achievement?
During remarks at the Indianapolis 500, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe expressed interest in developing a flagship vehicle that pays tribute to Honda’s Formula 1 legacy. He was specifically asked about a project akin to the RB17 being undertaken by Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Adrian Newey.
“Yes, yes, but no plans yet,” Watanabe stated to The Drive. “But in the future, we want to create such a vehicle that incorporates F1 technology.”
This news should excite both Honda and Acura enthusiasts, regardless of their racing interests. The Acura NSX has concluded its run (at least for this generation) with the NSX Type S in 2022. Meanwhile, the Honda Civic Type R and Acura Integra Type S currently represent the brand’s performance benchmarks. However, despite their capabilities, they do not classify as supercars or hypercars.
Developing a hypercar similar to Newey’s two-seater would be ambitious for Honda, yet the company is well-equipped to take on such a challenge. The expertise gained from its F1 experience—particularly during its collaboration with Red Bull Racing—will be crucial for this endeavor. Additionally, in 2026, Honda will officially partner with Aston Martin in Formula 1, adding further resources to its knowledge base.
Watanabe emphasized that while there is an aspiration to create a hypercar utilizing F1 technology, concrete plans are not yet established. In the coming years, the automaker aims to introduce sporty hybrid and electric vehicles similar to the Prelude, leaving the door open for other exciting projects.
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