Honda confirms F1 support for Red Bull until 2026

Last Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen became champion with the Honda F1 engine in his RB16B, but the Honda party was over immediately after. At least, Honda officially withdrew from its active role in Formula 1 after the 2021 season. HRC (Honda Racing Corporation). Red Bulls F1 CEO Helmut Marko already indicated at the beginning of this year that Honda will continue to supply engines in the coming years, now there is finally confirmation from Honda itself.

Somewhat mustard after the meal, it seems, but now Honda’s involvement is in any case really in pots and jars and now also until 2025. Initially, there would only be an agreement until 2023. “The Red Bull Group has also asked Honda for support for the three seasons from 2023 to 2025. As a result of discussions and considerations between the two companies, we have come to this agreement,” said Honda. The manufacturer emphasizes that this is about technical support and emphatically not about engine development. After all, the latter goes against what Honda decided at the end of 2020. Incidentally, the development of the current F1 engines is ‘frozen’ at all for all suppliers in Formula 1.

Red Bull is pleased with the deal. Team principal Christian Horner said: “Red Bull’s partnership with Honda has been incredibly successful and we are pleased to see it continue until the end of the current engine era in 2025.” Helmut Marko added: “We thank Honda for their positive response to further cooperation. We have had a successful relationship to date, winning the Drivers’ Championship in 2021 and we are currently leading the Drivers and Constructors’ Championships. Our aim is to take both titles in 2022.”