Honda and Red Bull reveal their futures
Red Bull and Honda have revealed how the two organisations will work together after the Japanese manufacturer stops its works involvement in Formula 1 at the end of this season.
Honda will continue to closely support the two Red Bull F1 teams in 2022, while for the 2023 season there will be a transition to full control of the engine supply by the new Red Bull Powertrains division. Some Honda Racing Development UK employees will transfer to
Red Bull Powertrains, while the two companies will also work together on projects outside F1.
“The diversification agreement will see the Red Bull group of companies and Honda work together on a variety of motorsport activities, encompassing the transition of power unit development from Honda to Red Bull Powertrains, young driver development, marketing and branding initiatives, as well as competitive activity across a range of motorsport disciplines,” said a Red Bull statement. “In F1,
Red Bull Powertrains will have the right to use Honda IP relating to the Power Unit from 2022.
“Whilst Honda will support Red Bull Powertrains through the assembly of power units, the provision of trackside engineering support and race operation assistance in 2022, from 2023 RBPT will take responsibility for all manufacturing and servicing of Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Alphatauri’s engines.”
Red Bull confirmed that its junior team and the Honda Formula Dream Project will continue to work together to find young Japanese drivers to follow in the footsteps of Alphatauri F1 rookie Yuki Tsunoda.
Honda also clarified that its four-wheeled motorsport activities, including its support of Red Bull in 2022, will now come under the umbrella of Honda Racing Corporation, the division responsible for the company’s motorcycle racing efforts. But despite its extended cooperation with Red Bull, Honda made clear that it would not work on an F1 engine project for 2026, when the next generation of power units is set for introduction.
“There is no particular possibility of cooperation for the next-generation power units,” said Honda chief officer for brand and communication operations Koji Watanabe. “All of our engineers who will be involved in launching Red Bull Powertrains, it’s just a bridge in 2022, or support for it, so that they can start their PU department smoothly. I can’t do it [work on a 2026 project] even if requested. I have no intention of doing it now, and I have had no request.”