Honda Racing’s forthcoming CEO turnover will ripple through the company’s global motorsport ambitions as long‑serving leader Koji Watanabe steps aside on January 1, 2027, and Executive Vice President Keiichi Yasuda assumes control.
Watanabe’s Legacy: From Unified Motorsport to Formulas
Joining Honda in 1987, Watanabe rose to head the entire racing division in 2022. During his tenure, he merged the four‑wheel and two‑wheel programmes into a single corporate entity and reversed the decision to exit Formula 1, bringing the team back as a works partner of Aston Martin under the 2026 regulations.
He also restructured the U.S. operations, rebranding HPD as HRC US, and founded HRC UK to deepen the brand’s presence across two continents. “I am honoured to have served as president of HRC with these exceptional colleagues,” Watanabe told the press, adding that he would continue fighting for victory until the end of 2026.
Yasuda’s Mission: Consolidate and Accelerate Growth
Yasuda, who has led human resources across Honda’s racing units, now declares his goal to “firmly inherit the solid foundation built by Watanabe, unite everyone toward a single goal of winning, and make HRC even stronger.” He emphasises investing in personnel and tightening the organisational structure to secure future success.
The leadership change, announced by Honda, is described as a planned personnel rotation aimed at strengthening management structures in response to worldwide change and accelerating business expansion for the next generation.
Prospects for Honda and the Global Motorsport Scene
With Watanabe stepping down after five years at the helm, Honda Racing is poised to capitalize on its newly unified brand, expanded global office network and renewed Formula 1 partnership. Yasuda’s takeover marks a strategic transition as the company prepares for the next era of automotive and motorcycle racing, positioning HRC to claim victories across every discipline.
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