Honda and Red Bull have shared a highly successful partnership in F1 since 2018, but the power unit supplier has explained why the two partners will go their separate ways in 2026.
Following their initial withdrawal from F1 at the end of 2021, Honda has continued to provide technical support to Red Bull’s teams, operating their power units behind the scenes.
While a continued collaboration with Red Bull into F1’s transformative new era in 2026 was initially considered, the Japanese manufacturer ultimately decided to supply its next-generation product to Aston Martin.
Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe has shed light on why a continued partnership between the engine supplier and the Red Bull was not feasible.
The Shift in Red Bull’s Approach to Power Units
Honda’s decision to step back from Formula 1 at the end of 2021 led Red Bull to establish its own engine department on its campus at Milton Keynes, Red Bull Powertrains.
This marked a fundamental shift in the dynamic between the two entities.
While Honda continued to offer technical support to Red Bull’s engine operations, the team’s newfound independence paved the way for a long-term plan to design and build its own power units in-house for the 2026 regulations.
“When we withdrew from Formula 1, Red Bull decided to establish its own power unit company,” Watanabe explained to Motorsport.com.“That is why there was basically no room to work together.
“During our regular conversations, we discussed the option of Red Bull doing the internal combustion engine themselves and us doing the electrical parts.
“But that wouldn’t have been easy at all if they only made the ICE and we did the electrical parts, so in the end we found out that it was impossible to collaborate under these conditions.”
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Indeed, Honda and Red Bull’s divergent strategies made it increasingly difficult for the pair to find common ground for collaboration.
“We announced [we were] stopping our Formula 1 activities, but after discussions with Red Bull they wanted us to continue the activities,” continued Watanabe.
“That’s why we became a kind of technical support since then. In fact, we still operate everything on the power unit side.”
Ultimately, the inevitable split led Red Bull to form an alliance with Ford, announced in early 2023, to develop hybrid power units under the new regulations.
Aligning with F1’s Future
Honda’s decision to partner with Aston Martin instead was driven by the alignment of their vision with the new 2026 regulations, which prioritize sustainability with the introduction of sustainable fuels and increased electrification.
“From Honda’s point of view, the new F1 regulations for 2026, with the combustion engine being 50 per cent and the electrical parts being 50 per cent, are very attractive to both Honda and Honda Racing,” Watanabe stated.
“The direction with the carbon-neutral fuel is very good for us as well, so that is basically why we decided to officially return to Formula 1.”
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‘Everything is Very Difficult’
While Honda is excited about their return to F1, the development of Aston Martin’s 2026 power unit presents significant engineering challenges.
“Everything is new. The motor is a new 355-kW, very compact one we need,” Watanabe admitted.
“Also the lightweight battery, it’s not so easy to develop. And also the small engine with the big power. Everything is very difficult, but we try our best.”
Despite the challenges, Honda remains committed to success in the new era of Formula 1, and their partnership with Aston Martin promises to be an exciting chapter in the team’s history.
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