Koji Watanabe will retire as head of Honda’s racing activities on Jan. 1, 2027, with Keiichi Yasuda appointed to succeed him as chief executive of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Honda said the change is part of a planned management rotation as the company responds to global transformation and pursues business expansion for the next generation.

Watanabe joined Honda in 1987 and became head of its racing division in 2022. During his time leading the division, Honda combined its four-wheel and two-wheel racing activities under HRC and reversed its decision to leave Formula One. The company is set to return as a works partner of Aston Martin under the 2026 regulations.

Honda said: “This executive change is part of a planned periodic personnel rotation designed to strengthen the management structure in response to global transformation and to accelerate business expansion for the next generation,”

Watanabe said serving as HRC president with his colleagues had been an honour. He took the role in 2022 when the new HRC brought motorcycle and automobile motorsport activities together. Since then, he said, Honda decided to return to F1, reorganized its U.S. operation HPD as HRC US, established HRC UK and worked to build the company’s global brand.

“For the remaining three months of my presidency, I will continue to do my utmost, aiming for victory until the very end,” Watanabe said.

Yasuda is currently Honda’s Executive Vice President and Representative Director. He previously led human resources in the company’s racing division. He said his priority would be to carry forward the foundation Watanabe established and develop HRC further, aligning colleagues around the goal of winning races.

“I consider it my mission to firmly inherit the solid foundation built by Watanabe,” Yasuda said. He added: “Evolve it further, unite everyone's vector toward the single goal of winning in races, and make HRC even stronger.”

Yasuda said he would draw on management experience as president of overseas local entities and his human resources background to invest in people and strengthen the organization toward victory.

Based on reporting by Autosport.