“It became too complicated,” Christian Horner reveals why Red Bull and Honda decided to part ways

Red Bull Racing announced a shock move to Honda engines in 2019. This was surprising owing to Honda’s public fallout with McLaren in the previous year. Red Bull collected a series of victories and 1 WDC with the Japanese marque until the culmination of their partnership in 2021. Honda decided to pull out of Formula One to focus their resources on developing Carbon-neutral technology.

Despite Honda’s official withdrawal, several Honda employees continued to work on the power units as Red Bull employees. The Japanese manufacturer practically served as a surrogate engine supplier under the wing of the newly established Red Bull Powertrains division. Honda’s current deal with Red Bull is valid until 2025.

Ford will take over from Honda as Red Bull’s engine partner in 2026, the new collaboration was revealed during Red Bull’s 2023 team launch in early February. In a recent interview with Motorsport.com, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner revealed that the Milton Keynes-based team initially held talks with Honda for an extension on their deal. “We explored the relationship beyond 2025. But it just logistically became too complicated.” he said.

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Christian Horner discusses plans for the future

Horner then went on to talk about the future of their partnership with Honda. “We will of course wish Honda the very best of luck in the future. But there is obviously a clear difference between the 2026 program that Red Bull Powertrains is focused on and this relationship with Ford, and the close working relationship with Honda to obviously optimise the best performance we can out of the current homologated engine to the end of 2025.” he said.

“We’ve had an incredible partnership with Honda. When they initially announced their withdrawal from Formula 1 in 2020, then it was with great sadness. That is what prompted the creation of Red Bull Powertrains to take control of our own future. As we set off on that journey, obviously there was a change of plan with Honda thankfully agreeing to continue to supply engines until the end of 2025 while, in turn, we were building up our resource for 2026. We have a great working relationship there. They are an incredible company and, under the current regulations, we will be pushing with Honda all the way to the last race of the 2025 season.” The Red Bull Team Principal concluded.

While Honda cannot continue their incredibly fruitful partnership with Red Bull, the Japanese marque has already begun to explore its options. Reportedly, Honda is talking with McLaren about a potential return to the Woking-based team in 2026. This is a curious pairing owing to their history as one of the worst-performing partnerships of the modern era.

In case you missed it:

• McLaren and Honda allegedly set for F1 reunion as initial talks have begun
• Daniel Ricciardo reports for duty, drives Supercars Mustang in Ford base

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