Honda once again strengthens its collaboration with the Red Bull F1 team starting with the Japanese GP

By reinforcing this partnership again, Honda has the potential to become a full engine supplier to the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri teams during the latest engine regulations in 2026.

Autos.id – At the end of 2021 ago, Honda had in fact decided to leave the F1 racing arena after leading Red Bull to the drivers’ world title with Max Verstappen. Ahead of the Japanese GP racing event this time around, Honda has officially strengthened its cooperation with the Red Bull team with its sister team, Alpha Tauri.

One of the signs is the reappearance of the Honda logo on the cars of the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri teams starting this weekend’s Japanese GP.

Cooperation between Red Bull and Honda continues

As reported by Motorsport on Wednesday (5/10/2022), Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said Honda’s investment with Red Bull and the development of the Red Bull Powertrain proved effective in making Red Bull more competitive. “Due to the very positive development benefiting both sides, we are very pleased to be working with Honda again,” said Horner.

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) President Koji Watanabe said Honda’s commitment to Red Bull represents a strong technical bond and is ready to provide full support again. “With this latest collaboration, we at Honda have the ambition to provide the best engine and powertrain in F1 and fully support the development of the Red Bull Powertrain, which is based on our technology,” said Watanabe.

Last July, at the Asutria Grand Prix, Watanabe, representing the Honda delegation, had already discussed with Red Bull to show this latest collaboration. Furthermore, with the engine regulation in 2026 considered profitable, Honda already plans to be able to return to the entire F1 event.

Previously, it was rumored that Red Bull would be working with a German manufacturer, Porsche, starting in 2026. Porsche itself also plans to buy a 50% stake in the Red Bull group. Before the end due to various things and conflicts that did not find a middle ground, this collaboration was ultimately not realized.

In the 2022 season, Red Bull itself produces its own engine called Red Bull Powertrain. Together with its sister team, Alpha Tauri, this RBPT engine basically uses Honda’s technological base considering that Red Bull obtains the intellectual rights of the Honda engine. With this partnership strengthened, it is only a matter of time for Honda and Red Bull to fully cooperate again in F1 racing.