10 May 2023 , 10:00
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Honda is set to commit to a future in Formula 1 despite the impending end of its partnership with Red Bull.
The Japanese carmaker is a partner of both the main team and AlphaTauri, but its partnership is set to come to an end. Honda left F1 after the 2021 season but its name returned to the Red Bull cars late last season, amid the team's record-breaking success.
But, in response to Honda's withdrawal, Red Bull created their own powertrains department at their Milton Keynes headquarters and have partnered with the Ford Motor Company. So, if Honda wishes to remain in F1, it needs to find a new partner.
That looks set to be the case. The FIA announced Honda as one of the six parties which had signed up to the new engine regulations which will come into force in 2026. The sustainable fuels and heavier reliance on electric power makes the sport more attractive for the carmaker given its desire to pursue zero-emissions projects.
It seems, after several months of considering its options, Honda may be close to striking an agreement. According to The Race, the manufacturer will likely partner with Aston Martin, who currently use Mercedes power units.
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Honda has not yet entirely decided that it will remain in F1, but the company seems to have been leaning in that direction ever since chief executive Toshihiro Mibe took charge in 2021. And the development of Red Bull Powertrains meant its existing partnership could not continue as it was.
Honda could strike a deal with Aston Martin, which currently runs with Mercedes power units (Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)Talks with Red Bull were held, but the team is committed to using its own RBPT engines from 2026, which will also have Ford branding. Mirror Sport understands that the deal is, for the most part, a badging exercise with minimal technological input from the American carmaker.
So Honda has been assessing its other options. McLaren was, for a while, considered to be its most likely potential partner – the Woking-based outfit has been considering its engine options and chief executive Zak Brown also visited Red Bull's campus recently over a potential RBPT deal.
But Aston Martin now seems to be set to partner with Honda, after scrapping its own ideas for an in-house project in the style of the new Red Bull arm. And this could well lead to the Japanese brand immediately competing against their former partners, given the progress Aston have made in terms of car competitiveness.