Honda HRC set for leadership change as Koji Watanabe retires
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 5, 2026, 8:28 AM
Last updated Oct 5, 2026
Koji Watanabe, head of Honda's racing activities under HRC, will retire on January 1, 2027. Keiichi Yasuda has been appointed as his successor. Watanabe has been with Honda since 1987 and became head of the racing division in 2022, overseeing the merger of the company's four-wheel and two-wheel divisions. Yasuda will take over a pivotal role in Honda's motorsport endeavors as the company transitions its leadership.
- •Koji Watanabe retires on January 1, 2027
- •Keiichi Yasuda named as new head of Honda HRC
- •Watanabe led racing operations since 2022
- •Oversaw merger of four-wheel and two-wheel divisions
- •Yasuda will continue Honda's motorsport legacy
- 8:28 AMAutosport — Honda HRC to get new boss with Watanabe set to retire
- 8:28 AMMotorsport.com — Honda HRC to get new boss with Koji Watanabe set for retirement
- 8:28 AMYahoo Sports — Honda HRC to get new boss with Koji Watanabe set for retirement
"Koji Watanabe, the long-time boss of Honda's racing activities under HRC, will retire on 1 January 2027, with Keiichi Yasuda appointed as his successor. A long-time Honda employee after first joining the Japanese marque in 1987, Watanabe became the head of Honda's racing division in 2022. In that time Watanabe oversaw the company's merger of its four-wheel and two-wheel divisions as well as its ...Keep reading
"Koji Watanabe, the long-time boss of Honda's racing activities under HRC, will retire on 1 January 2027, with Keiichi Yasuda appointed as his successor. A long-time Honda employee after first joining the Japanese marque in 1987, Watanabe became the head of Honda's racing division in 2022. In that time Watanabe oversaw the company's merger of its four-wheel and two-wheel divisions as well as its ...Keep reading
"Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has announced its current President and CEO Koji Watanabe will retire at the end of the year
Sources
External links- AutosportOct 5, 2026, 8:28 AMHonda HRC to get new boss with Watanabe set to retire
Koji Watanabe, the long-time boss of Honda's racing activities under HRC, will retire on 1 January 2027, with Keiichi Yasuda appointed as his successor. A long-time Honda employee after first joining the Japanese marque in 1987, Watanabe became the head of Honda's racing division in 2022. In that time Watanabe oversaw the company's merger of its four-wheel and two-wheel divisions as well as its ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comOct 5, 2026, 8:28 AMHonda HRC to get new boss with Koji Watanabe set for retirement
Koji Watanabe, the long-time boss of Honda's racing activities under HRC, will retire on 1 January 2027, with Keiichi Yasuda appointed as his successor. A long-time Honda employee after first joining the Japanese marque in 1987, Watanabe became the head of Honda's racing division in 2022. In that time Watanabe oversaw the company's merger of its four-wheel and two-wheel divisions as well as its ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsOct 5, 2026, 8:28 AMHonda HRC to get new boss with Koji Watanabe set for retirement
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has announced its current President and CEO Koji Watanabe will retire at the end of the year
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