Honda Racing’s president will change from Watanabe Koji (渡辺康治) to Vice President Yasuda Keiichi (安田啓一), effective 1 January 2027. The organisation will be strengthened for victory ahead of the 2027 season.
Honda Racing (HRC) announced that its president will change from Watanabe Koji (渡辺康治), who will retire effective 1 January 2027, to Vice President Yasuda Keiichi (安田啓一), who will become representative director and president. The top management will change from the Watanabe administration, which advanced Honda’s return to F1 and established its motorsports structure, to the Yasuda administration.
HRC described the personnel change as “a regular personnel change to strengthen the management structure in response to a period of global transformation and accelerate business development for the next generation.” The change is being made at the beginning of the year to align with the motorsports season schedule, and the company plans to begin the 2027 season under the new management structure.
During his tenure, President Watanabe advanced Honda’s return to F1 and the integration of its motorcycle and automobile operations, while working to expand its global motorsports structure and build its brand through the reorganisation of the US operations as HRC US and the establishment of HRC UK. This season, Honda is competing as Aston Martin Honda under the new power unit regulations, but the outstanding challenges will be carried forward to the next management team.
Vice President Yasuda Keiichi (安田啓一) said he would draw on his management experience in the motorcycle business and experience as president of overseas subsidiaries to strengthen the organisation and invest in talent with the aim of achieving victory. His mission is to carry forward the foundation built by the Watanabe administration while uniting everyone behind the goal of victory in racing.