Red Bull announce continued partnership with Honda until 2025

Tuesday 2 August 2022

F1 | Red Bull announce continued partnership with Honda until 2025

Red Bull Racing have confirmed they will continue to receive technical support from Honda Motor Co following their official withdrawal from the sport last season.

The Honda Motor Company have agreed to continue their partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing until 2025 when the current V6 hybrid turbo power unit regulation changes in 2026. The agreement is an extension to provide technical support until the end of 2023. 

After moving their engine production in-house this season Red Bull Power Trains will continue to lead the Formula 1 power unit regulations and power unit development for RBR and Scuderia AlphaTauri.

In October 2020, Honda announced their withdrawal from Formula 1 to focus on achieving carbon neutrality, and the development of electric road car technology. Honda Formula 1 chief, Masashi Yamamoto, expressed earlier this year that he felt Honda was leaving the sport ‘too soon’. Honda’s improvements to the 2021 Red Bull engine saw Max Verstappen with his first Formula 1 title, and RBR are currently leading both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. 

Dr. Helmut Marko, the Motorsport Advisor at Oracle Red Bull Racing said: 

“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.” 

Red Bull Powertrains CEO and Team Principal, Christian Horner, stated: 

“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.” 

Head of Corporate Communications Supervisory Unit at Honda Motor Co Ltd and President of Honda Racing Corporation, Koji Watanabe, said: 

“We have agreed to continue supporting Red Bull Power Trains 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.” 

Honda have participated in four separate eras in Formula 1 since 1964. For many traditionalists the extension to remain in the sport will be welcome news.