Red Bull boss Christian Horner revealed that Honda’s erratic decision made them invest $1,000,000,000, and this was an incredible move to be self-reliant. A move that created ample jobs, and we couldn’t be grateful enough for this after Honda announced their decision to exit from Formula 1 following the conclusion of the 2021 F1 season, which left a promising Red Bull abandoned and seeking alternatives for their engine partner.
Following the talks of the Japanese manufacturer’s exit, the Austrian team has decided to go for their own powertrains without relying on anyone else anymore. Red Bull has long been reliant on others for their engine, but this time they took things into their own hand for the upcoming regulations in 2026. However, in 2023, they also brought Ford on board.
On the other hand, Honda reversed their decision after regretting their decision. But since the Red Bull reunion was no longer possible, they tied up with another powerhouse of the sport, Aston Martin. But Horner now has moved on from their old to a new partner, with them having the foundation to succeed.
Christian Horner is grateful for the Honda move
Even though Red Bull and Honda have officially parted ways ahead of 2026, the Japanese heavyweights still supply engines to the defending champions amidst the engine freeze. And no doubt, Max Verstappen is absolutely dominating with the engine as the RB-19 looks ever-dominant.
But the British boss is grateful that they are self-sufficient now. Speaking about this as per Business F1, the 49-year-old said, “We would not have made that jump had it not been for Honda’s withdrawal, so in many respects, we should be grateful for Honda for giving us that push to create our own facility and the jobs it created and provided.”
NEW FACTORY: Under construction at the Austrian-owned Formula One team’s Technology Campus in Milton Keynes, Red Bull Powertrains’ new engine development and manufacturing plant is expected to create hundreds of jobs. #UKmfg🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/GYh77q5SeE
— Jefferson (@Jefferson_MFG) June 23, 2022
To make Red Bull Racing’s dream a reality, the team’s parent company from Austria, Red Bull GmbH, invested around $1,000,000,000. Admittedly, this took place while its founder Dietrich Mateschitz was still alive, and he could see the developments his team had been making.
Horner bids goodbye to Honda
Despite their separation now, Horner admitted that the Japanese suppliers have been incredible with their engines. The Austrian team tied up with Honda after they parted ways with Renault. Had they not taken the decision to withdraw, they would not have pushed for their own powertrains.
Nevertheless, the Red Bull team principal is happy with the entire decision the Milton-Keynes-based team took and is committed to their plan of developing the powertrains for Red Bull and its sister team AlphaTauri. With that said, the respect for Honda still remains.
All in all, the Japanese heavyweights who decided to leave the sport as a cost-cutting measure surely regret their decision. Even after they reversed their decision as they found money to burn and saw Red Bull’s dominance, there’s no going back from here.
