Honda and Red Bull have had a legendary partnership, undermining which would be only a fool’s errand and nothing more. Having said that, Honda, the unmistakably important Japanese giant and a legend of F1 had announced its clear intentions of leaving the sport towards the end of the 2021 season. It was perhaps also a perfectly timed stand since the ultimate objective- that of winning a world title was achieved.
Imagine if Honda had not powered the Red Bull car driving which Max Verstappen claimed the 2021 driver’s title, which turned out to be his mega first?
But now here’s an interesting development. And while Honda have not had any change of hearts as such, what is clear is that they have agreed to continue to lend support to the Christian Horner-led Red Bull stable.
And just how is that going to happen? Honda agreed to provide technical assistance with the current F1 power units being raced by Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri. The collaboration has resulted in another winning campaign, with Oracle Red Bull Racing currently leading the 2022 Formula 1 World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships (as per the F1 Chronicle).
This key development, which came to light in the F1 world on August 2, 2022 has quickly snowballed into being a massively-read story and why not?
After all, given Honda’s redoubtable excellence in making engines and powertrains, there’s every bit of a chance of Red Bull again having a powerful car that would, at the height of its powers, tame the challengers on the grid. Right?
But Honda’s stance, good or not as time only will tell in the future, has surely excited the key figureheads of the Red Bull racing stable.
And here are the first impressions on the developing story as echoed by current Red Bull team principal Christian Horner:
“Red Bull’s partnership with Honda has been an incredibly successful one and we are pleased that this will continue until the end of the current era of the FIA’s power unit regulations in 2025.”
Meanwhile, the following is what Honda’s Koji Watanbe, who happens to be the president of HRC had to say on the subject of the duo’s extended partnership, “
We have agreed to continue supporting Red Bull Powertrains in Formula 1 through HRC, following Red Bull’s request to extend our current agreement, which HRC can meet within its existing resources.
“Once again, we aim to use our involvement in the pinnacle of motorsport for the development of technologies and of our workforce.”
That being said, here’s what Dr. Helmut Marko, a long time senior figurehead of the Red Bull stable had to say on a story that has got the F1 contingent talking:
“We thank Honda for their positive response to working together. We are excited to continue our partnership in F1 until the end of 2025 with the PU supplied by Honda. We have had a successful relationship so far, winning the Drivers’ championship in 2021 and currently leading the Drivers’ and Teams’ classifications, with the aim of securing both 2022 titles.”