“It’s a Red Bull engine” – Christian Horner has confirmed the nomenclature of the Honda F1 engines after the Japanese giants leave F1 at the end of the season.
If you have been living under a rock, Honda is set to leave F1 at the end of this season. The Japanese automobile giants currently provide engines to Red Bull and its sister AlphaTauri.
Fortunately for the two teams concerned, they have agreed on a deal with Honda to continue using their engines. As for the name that will appear on the livery instead of Honda, Christian Horner has provided the answer.
“As far as badging is concerned, there are no discussions underway regarding that. So it will be a Red Bull engine.”
As for AlphaTauri, the same is set to happen: “We haven’t gone into specifics yet but I would envisage so. It’s a Red Bull engine.”
“As Mercedes is a Mercedes it will be an incorporated part of the car. So it’ll just be a ‘Red Bull’.”
Red Bull to continue using Honda F1 engines from 2022
Red Bull and Honda have reached the expected agreement of continued engine support. Apart from that, the Milton Keynes-based outfit will also take the help of ExxonMobile. All this in hope that they can return to winning ways since Sebastian Vettel last won in 2013.
“Honda is continuing to operate as usual this year and will stay committed to Formula 1 to the 31st of December. During which time they’re obviously working with our fuel partner ExxonMobil on it, which they’re currently doing, with the development of the E10 fuel, which is obviously the biggest regulation change into next year.
“So it’s business as usual very much for the 2021 year. And obviously, the engine will then be handed over for pre-season testing this time next year.”
Also read: Honda in F1: Formula 1 MD Ross Brawn optimistic of Honda making yet another comeback to F1
