Following Honda ‘s decision to leave F1 at the end of last season, the Japanese manufacturer agreed to help build and manage its power units despite the fact that Red Bull had leased the intellectual property of the Japanese engines.
Originally, that was to be for this season only, with Red Bull expected to take over the program and run it from its own powertrain division.
But as Red Bull is focusing on Milton Keynes on the 2026 engine project, which will likely be with Porsche, they have decided to extend the Honda deal until the end of 2025.
That means Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) , which runs the company’s motorsport activities, will work with Red Bull until the end of Formula 1’s current engine rules cycle.
Having achieved this is important for Red Bull, because it means that Red Bull Powertrains will be officially considered as a new motorist from 2026, so it can get concessions.
Honda can continue to commit resources to F1’s power unit project thanks to the engine freeze that is in place, meaning it doesn’t need to undertake any costly development.
Commenting on the expansion of the partnership with Honda, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said: “Red Bull’s partnership with Honda has been incredibly successful and we are pleased that it will continue to the end of the current era of Honda regulations. FIA power unit in 2025.”
Koji Watanabe , President of HRC, added: “We have agreed to continue to support Red Bull Powertrains in Formula 1 through HRC, following Red Bull’s request to extend our current agreement, which HRC is able to fulfill with its existing resources.”
“Once again, our goal is to use our involvement at the pinnacle of motorsports for the development of technologies and our workforce.”
The expansion of Honda’s involvement also makes it likely that there will be a greater presence of the Japanese manufacturer in Red Bull and AlphaTauri cars from 2023. This season, the badge has been entirely HRC.
Speaking to Motorsport.com last month, Watanabe said Honda’s presence would be more visible: “We have to decide for next season, but personally I want to use more Honda… So something like a combination of Honda and HRC”.
