Max Verstappen claims Red Bull should be “proud” of success with Honda

Max Verstappen claimed that he has loved working with Honda throughout its partnership with Red Bull.

Max Verstappen claims Red Bull should be “proud” of success with Honda

Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen (image via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen has won three consecutive world titles with Red Bull. Throughout these three seasons, Red Bull cars were powered by Honda as a works partnership. However, this partnership will come to an end before the 2026 F1 season. Now, Verstappen reckons that Milton Keynes should be proud of what it has achieved with the Japanese carmaker.

The Dutch driver has loved working with Honda since it first supplied Red Bull in 2019. Max Verstappen admitted that the carmaker will continue a special place in his heart even when the partnership comes to an end in 2025. The 26-year-old has formed a bond with the Honda engineers during the past few years.

They [Honda] will always have a special place in my heart even when, of course, they leave at the end of ‘25.
Max Verstappen said as reported by RacingNews365

Verstappen reckoned that he was filled with pride for the Japanese giant. The 26-year-old pointed out how Red Bull and Honda managed to achieve such success in the past few seasons. Subsequently, the three-time world champion reckoned that Red Bull should be proud of their partnership with the carmaker even if the two would part ways in the future.

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I'm very proud also for them, from where we started as a team together and where we are at now. I think we can all be very proud of that.

Red Bull and Honda will become rivals in 2026

Honda announced that it would leave Formula 1 after the 2021 season. This forced Red Bull to look for alternatives. Ultimately, the Austrian team established an in-house power units division, Red Bull Powertrains for the 2026 regulations. While Honda would continue to supply the team till the end of 2025.

Honda's Masashi Yamamoto and Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko
Honda’s Masashi Yamamoto and Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko

However, the Japanese carmaker made a U-turn on its decision. Honda would now continue as a power units supplier in F1 from 2026 albeit with a new partner, Aston Martin. Subsequently, the automaker would be going up against its former partner Red Bull with the onset of the new regulations. Although, this has not affected the relationship between the two parties, as evidenced by Max Verstappen’s comments.

Nevertheless, Red Bull and Honda have formed one of the best partnerships in F1’s modern history. The two managed to deliver on expectations and bring in results. Max Verstappen has won three world titles with the team and might bag the remaining two championships before the Japanese carmaker switches to Silverstone.

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