The ongoing collaboration between Red Bull and Honda, despite their Formula 1 domination, is seemingly tense.
The potent blend of their chassis and engine is currently setting benchmarks in Formula 1, but there’s a looming expiration date.
Red Bull’s preparations for its own powertrain, designed with Ford for the impending 2026 regulations, are underway. Concurrently, Honda is setting its sights on a works partnership with Aston Martin, once this chapter with Red Bull concludes.
After clinching the 2021 title, Honda ceased its primary F1 engagement with Red Bull. Still, an arrangement was struck, allowing Red Bull to utilise Honda power units. Notably, the Honda presence at racing circuits has diminished.
“Fortunately, we didn’t have any serious stability problems with the last version of our engine,” articulated project lead, Tetsushi Kakuda.
Despite the prevailing peculiar dynamics, Red Bull is slated to produce two more Honda-powered vehicles for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
“Red Bull doesn’t tell us anything about their engine, and we don’t say anything to them about our development,” divulged Honda Racing Corporation’s chief, Koji Watanabe.
Presently, a subtle “information war” exists between the two, Watanabe admitted to De Telegraaf.
He added, “At Red Bull, they do have some knowledge about our current engine but, ultimately, we are responsible for the development and the whole process. Most of the knowledge is with us.”
Red Bull’s key figure, Dr Helmut Marko, confirmed this sentiment: “We’re not even allowed to change the maps or any settings.
“The Honda personnel, present at the tracks, oversee that,” he conveyed to Auto Motor und Sport.
