Despite Honda’s decision to stay in Formula 1 for the 2026 regulations, it has not renewed its partnership with Red Bull. While Honda and Red Bull have had a solid partnership over the years in sports, questions arise about why the duo hasn’t gone in their usual ways.
The two heavyweights first worked together when the Japanese manufacturers collaborated with Toro Rosso [currently AlphaTauri] back in 2018. Following that year, they joined Red Bull in 2019.
However, after deciding to continue their partnership in 2020 and 2021, Honda said they would withdraw from the sport to focus on their automotive division, as per the then-Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo.
However, after the massive success the Milton-Keynes-based team witnessed in 2021, and the following year in 2022, the Japanese manufacturers seemed to have changed their mind, as the new CEO Toshihiro Mibe hinted at the reconsideration.
Despite the F1 stay, why did Red Bull and Honda go different ways?
The main reason for their broken relationship is believed to be the logistical complication. According to a report published by The Race, the Red Bull team principal stated, “We explored the relationship beyond 2025, but it just logistically became too complicated.”
Admittedly, the two partners are still contracted under a less engaged capacity, where Honda will help the defending champions with engine development till 2025 before the new regulations kick in.
Furthermore, it is believed that the partnership didn’t stay because the Milton-Keynes-based team wanted a partner with a significant cash contribution and a very specific and restricted technical brief.
Moreover, the hesitancy from Honda from within also proved to be a major obstacle to any relationship for 2026 and beyond. On the other hand, Ford’s willingness to collaborate with Red Bull simultaneously worked wonders for the defending champions.
Where did Honda and Red Bull go instead?
As the partnership didn’t seem to have worked, Honda tied up with the newest force of Formula 1, Aston Martin. The Japanese manufacturers will work actively with the British team from 2026 and beyond.
As for the Austrian team, they have formed their partnership with the American heavyweights Ford. But with that contract in place, the deal between Red Bull and Honda till 2025 will have no changes.
Speaking about this, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe stated that after years of collaboration, the Austrian team had decided, and there was nothing further he could say about that.
