Former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato is set to take part in a demonstration drive in the Williams-Honda FW11 at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 this weekend. Honda has shared a sneak peek of the Japanese driver preparing for the outing ahead of the run on 10 January.
In addition to the demonstration in the FW11, Sato will also fire up the McLaren-Honda MP4/6.
The full show runs from 9 to 11 January and will feature various vehicles from across multiple categories of motorsport and the outdoor demonstrations will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Sato will take the wheel of the FW11, the machine that delivered Honda's first constructors' championship title in 1986 with drivers Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet. Designed by head of aerodynamics Frank Dernie under the leadership of technical director Patrick Head, the car is equipped with a Honda 1.5-litre V6 turbo engine, which proved to be one of the most powerful in the championship at the time.
The McLaren MP4/6 claimed both the drivers' and constructors' championship titles in 1991, with Ayrton Senna driving the Honda-powered machinery to his third drivers' title.
This comes ahead of Honda's new and exclusive partnership with the Aston Martin F1 team in 2026. After parting ways with Red Bull at the end of 2025, the Japanese manufacturer has joined the Silverstone outfit as its power unit supplier.
◤東京オートサロン2026🚙◢
— Honda 本田技研工業 (@HondaJP) January 9, 2026
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Williams Honda FW11
佐藤琢磨選手 デモ走行
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McLaren Honda MP4/6 エンジン始動
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リハーサル風景をお届けします🏎
本番は明日11：10から！ぜひ会場でご覧ください👀
詳細はこちら👇https://t.co/4rwvcJ0JXV#TAS2026 pic.twitter.com/vm5L4NJc93
Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe has explained why the company was motivated to remain in the series because of the 2026 F1 regulation changes.
"I think Honda probably can't live without F1," he told Aston Martin. "Looking specifically at the technology, however, the power unit regulation changes for 2026 were an important factor in Honda’s decision to return to the sport.
"These regulations encourage a 50:50 output split between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, with the latter nearly tripling in output from 120kW to 350kW. Add to that the requirement to use advanced sustainable fuels, and this becomes very much in line with Honda's philosophy on future propulsion systems.
"It also fits with our business orientation. The pinnacle of motorsport is the place to refine our technology, improve our technical capabilities and stand on a world stage that will allow us to showcase all of this. This is very important for the future of Honda."
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