Honda departure "expensive" but pointed Red Bull in the right direction

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says his team's future was forced away from Honda in an "expensive" decision but ultimately left the team better off.

Christian Horner has responded after Honda joined forces with Aston Martin. (Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)

Responding to the new partnership between Aston Martin and Honda, which will take to the Formula 1 grid from 2026, Horner welcomed the manufacturer back into the sport.

"I think it's positive for Honda, it’s positive for Formula 1," said Horner.

"They're a great brand. And have got a great legacy in the sport."

"We’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy, and will do so for another two and a half years, a great relationship and supply with them. Obviously, they announced their withdrawal in 2020. And that forced us to make a decision, long term-wise as to what strategically was the best route forward for us."

Red Bull has since established their own powertrain division in partnership with Honda, which will transfer to Ford branding under the next set of regulations.

"We created Red Bull Powertrains, [Honda] agreed to become a technical supplier to Red Bull Powertrains, and we've enjoyed a great working relationship," said Horner.

"But of course, now we're off on our own journey as an engine manufacturer, with the partnership with Ford. And that's exciting for us for the future. But, you know, Honda, from ’26 will become a competitor, but I think it's positive for Formula 1, it’s positive for them to remain in the sport."

The Red Bull boss revealed that negotiations with Honda had initially focused on the role combustion engines would play in the 2026 regulations, reflecting that the Japanese brand's consumer strategy must have changed.

"I think perhaps with sustainable fuels and zero emissions and the route that Formula is going for 2026, combustion became relevant to them again, whereas it was something that was very much off their agenda."

Returning to the creation of the Red Bull Powertrains division, Horner admitted that it was an expensive endeavour, but the team saw no other option. Now, as world champions, the team has grown into the role of powertrain manufacturer.

"It was certainly an expensive decision but look, I think for us, for the long term prospects of Red Bull, we’ve outgrown being a customer and, for us to have the power unit on site, on campus, integrated fully with chassis and the synergies that creates, with engine and chassis engineers sitting next to each other, I think for us, for the long term, the advantages are significant."

"We would not have made that jump had it not been for Honda’s withdrawal, so in many respects, Honda, we should be grateful for giving us that push to create our own engine facility and the jobs that it’s created and provided and then, of course, the partnership that we have with Ford that’s particularly exciting for the future. And the commitment, obviously, from Red Bull and the shareholders to the project."

"Would we have made the same decision knowing what Honda’s decision is today? Absolutely not. But we’ve made it and we’re committed to it and the more we’ve got involved, the more benefit we see to the group long term."

"It's exciting, you know, taking on a new challenge, a start-up company taking on some iconic brands in Formula 1 as a power unit manufacturer. It's an enormous challenge, but one that we're relishing."

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