Honda Racing Corporation will appoint Yoichiro Fukao as Large Project Leader of its Formula 1 power-unit development programme from 1 October 2026.
Fukao succeeds Tetsushi Kakuda, who has led the programme to date. Honda describes the change as a planned transition intended to accelerate development while transferring technical knowledge to a new generation of engineers.
The statement presents those outcomes as Honda’s objectives. It does not publish a revised budget, staffing plan, technical specification or development schedule, and the leadership change does not itself guarantee a performance improvement.
Internal succession from software and controls
Fukao is currently Assistant Large Project Leader, deputy leader of the F1 project and head of its software division. His Honda career began in 2002 with engine and gearbox control-system development for Formula 1.
Honda’s published career summary also records work on production hybrid systems and MotoGP control systems before he returned to the Formula 1 project in 2014 as control-system development manager. He became deputy project leader in 2017 and continued in that role after joining Honda Racing Corporation’s F1 organisation in 2022.
That background gives the incoming programme leader experience across combustion-engine controls, hybrid systems, race operations software and project management. Honda has not announced who will replace Fukao in his current software leadership position or whether other senior responsibilities will change.
Timing follows Formula 1’s 2026 rules reset
Honda returned as a works power-unit supplier to Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The programme developed the RA626H for regulations that substantially increased the electrical contribution of the hybrid system and introduced advanced sustainable fuel requirements.
Honda says it is moving to the new leadership structure early because the 2026 regulations have already changed the development environment and further regulatory changes are expected from 2027. The company did not identify the specific future rules addressed by the reorganisation.
The effective date gives the project a defined handover point rather than an immediate change announced without notice. Honda did not say whether Kakuda will remain with the organisation in another role after Fukao takes over.
What is confirmed and what remains open
The confirmed business development is an internal succession at the head of Honda’s Formula 1 power-unit programme. It affects the organisation responsible for the works engine supplied to Aston Martin and places a long-serving control-systems specialist in charge of the project.
Honda has not disclosed commercial terms, supplier changes, additional facilities or a new investment package alongside the appointment. Any effect on development pace, reliability or competitive performance will need to be assessed through later technical updates and track results.
For now, the change establishes accountability for the next phase of the programme while Honda manages knowledge transfer across the current Formula 1 rules cycle.