Honda is coming back for Suzuka and maybe for the whole decade

Honda’s three-year official factory engine supply to Red Bull Racing, the started 2019 and ended with Max Verstappen’s title at the episodic Abu Dhabi GP in 2021 – but now, after RBR’s “failure” talks with Porsche over the In 2026, the return of the Japanese to the Milton Keynes team was agreed.

It starts with Honda’s home race – and track – at Suzuka Japan offers a particularly suitable setting for the team over the next three days (October 7-9). celebrates Max Verstappen’s second championship title in a row. The Honda decals They will appear again on the two Red Bull RB22 and the two Alpha Tauri AT03.

The Honda badge remains on the cars (on the nose and on the engine cover) and in the next 4 GPs until the end of this racing year, and on November 27th he will followed by the “HRC Thanks Day” celebratory event, during which the four drivers from the two Red Bull teams. Sergio Perez takes over from these November Ambassador role for the Young Drivers Academy Honda Racing School (HRS).

“Our common goal is to provide dominant engines and ensure the maximum great success over the next three years,” said RBR Managing Director Christian Horner. which means the collaboration will continue until the end of 2025. towards There are currently no official announcements.

But that’s just the beginning. Red Bull Racing bosses reportedly held talks yesterday (Tuesday 10/4) in Tokyo with Honda Racing (HRC) management meetings to formalize – and even continue – their partnership for years to come in 2026 and beyond.

2026 is, and will be, a pivotal year for manufacturers in F1 Implementation of the new Power Plant Ordinance – which put more emphasis on it its hybrid and therefore electric aspect, directly parallel to the Gorga Progressive electrification of production cars.

Honda pulled out in late 2021 to devote all of its resources to development Zero emission technology of its production cars, but the regulations of 2026 to transfer the technology of -already hybrid- engines in this direction, to make the sport more attractive to automakers – both technologically and in the marketing aspect.

For now, the content of yesterday’s talks between RBR and HRC in Tokyo. In the scenario of both sides working together and beyond 2026, there is also the Parameters of Red Bull Powertrains, the new engine plant in which Red is investing Bull from last year, which Honda told her would be leaving in late 2021.

Red Bull wants to make RBPowetrains a new engine manufacturer in 2026 Enjoy the privileges that the FIA ​​​​will offer to their new engine manufacturers that year – Audis for now, while Porsche reconsiders its thoughts, as it is rumored it could work with McLaren.

In addition, the engines of Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri will run until the end of 2025 will be manufactured by HRC in Japan, both sides announced last year Spring. Red Bull would pay the Japanese company for these services Maybe that will change when there’s the – very likely – full Honda factory return in Formula 1, at least until the end of 2025.

In fact, the rewarming conditions are rumored to have the cooperation of the two sides agreed between them for months, and that yesterday’s meeting in Tokyo was more “Etiquette”, and served to find a gentle and gradual way Announcing Honda’s return to F1 just 10 months after his exit.

For 2026 and beyond, no one can know the plans of the two sides, but there is speculation the “golden ratio” of Honda’s coexistence with Red Bull Powertrains was found. Most likely The scenario heard calls for RBP to handle the design and construction of the thermals V6 turbo engine at its new factory in Milton Keynes.

And Honda will design, develop and build all -new- in Japan Hybrid system that will incorporate the MGU-K electric motor based on 2026 regulations – will be 50% more efficient (that others no longer have MGU-H electric motor) and will only use 100% biofuels.

So everyone is happy: Red Bull justifies its investment Own engine production by RBPowertrains in Milton Keynes and the Honda will quickly gain a reputation for developing new engine technologies Liaison with the marketing department of its commercial vehicles.

At the Tokyo meeting, these talks were reported to have been particularly positive, and it even sounds as if there is already a preliminary contract that includes the conditions that the cooperation will work beyond 2025. However, the very important one remains Approval of these plans by Honda’s Board of Directors.

However, there are some obstacles to achieving this: They concern the level of his involvement HRC, the financial budget, but also how Honda will justify publicly announced her return to F1 just two years after announcing she would retired from the sport at the end of 2021.

However, HRC appreciates Honda’s involvement in the development of flagship hybrids Technologies from F1 will have a direct correlation and impact with its general activity Company in the research and development of electrification technologies for series vehicles She. Consequently, any formalization of Honda’s long-awaited return to F1 will be the case need some more time.

Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool