Honda will not supply new 2026 F1 engines to Red Bull
Dec.13 - Honda has signalled its intention to return to Formula 1 in earnest for the new engine regulations from 2026.
The Japanese carmaker, having withdrawn as Red Bull's works partner after Max Verstappen's 2021 title win, remained with the team with technical support and 'Honda Racing Corporation' branding this year.
Towards the end of the season, the Honda logos remained in earnest - particularly after Red Bull's 2026 talks with Porsche came to nought.
Honda branding on the Red Bull RB19 car of Sergio Perez
And now, Auto Motor und Sport says Honda has now officially signed up as a works engine manufacturer for the new regulations beginning in 2026.
"But the Japanese no longer want to ally themselves with Red Bull," reported correspondents Michael Schmidt and Andreas Haupt.
"Honda is looking for a new team, although an official comeback has not yet been announced. But they already have their foot in the door."
Red Bull is determined to basically go it alone from 2026 with its own 'Red Bull Powertrains' division - although it could team up with a mainly financial and marketing partnership with Ford.
"The F1 regulations that will arrive from 2026 go in the direction of carbon neutrality," Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, is quoted by France's Auto Hebdo.
"Also, the fact that electrification is promoted, and that carbon neutrality as well as the electrification of the Honda brand is on the table as well, that fits perfectly," he added.
"As a motorsport company, we registered as an engine manufacturer to continue to do our research."
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Long time till 26, but have to say it surprises me , maybe more to do with oems marching in , than Honda unwilling to share with Rb, continuing to supply Rb keeps them well in the game if they want to buy a team etc (Again) lol
Not a great surprise to me. The mighty Honda corporation will not suffer fools willingly or being Japanese, bolshy aggressive bad mannered drivers who think they run the show. Fast or not.
Oh I forgot arrogant.
Blo, you're right: That absolutely excludes Shamilton ever driving a Honda powered car... :-)
You beat me to it
"It's been a good journey for me, being team-mates with him. He's the greatest of all time so I'm in a very privileged position to go up directly alongside him but also learn from him." GR in an interview with George Benson, need I say more.
Blo, it's called diplomacy. Also, when he refers to Shamilton as GOAT, it elevates GR's own status...'cause he just thrashed the "GOAT" all year.
George has been brainwashed by the Christian virus, confusing the words greatest of all time and equal greatest, of course George has learnt , learnt how not to whinge and just get on with it(and in the process beat him over a season )
Would love to see an uncensored quote from Cheko about Mad Max.😂
Why? Max doesn't need to be constantly validated unlike boo- hoo whinge-boy Shamilton. Anyhow. it's going to be fun seeing Mick beat Shamiltons times just like GR did, when he gets some reserve drives.
Delusional
Shamilton's sentiments exactly, until a rookie called George Russell kicked his butt...
And here's me thinking that Honda & red bull are, or were working together to forge red bulls new power train although red bull are saying that its their new power train project, what exactly is happening between now & 2026,, mind boggling all this swopping around,, still makes it interesting I suppose, now that sir Lulu's got so boring 💤 I don't bother to read his press reports gone a bit stale now.
So unless ive missed it, no official word from Honda or Rb on this...
So,, just a bit of idle gossip then. Roll on March so we can all get excited again with the next gp.