Honda has partnered with Japan's IHI ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season to boost the development of its turbo, as it seeks to win races with Red Bull next season.
The Japanese marque will for the first time supply two F1 teams in existing partner Toro Rosso and newcomer Red Bull.
Honda has worked with IHI since its return as an engine supplier in 2015, but this new deal involves a full technology partnership which will see the development of its turbo ramped up in order to accelerate gains in 2019.
"We are happy to enter into this partnership with Honda, one of the best engine manufacturers in the world," commented Yoshinori Kawasaki, vice president of Industrial Systems & General-Purpose Machinery Business Area at IHI Corporation.
"Through this new technical partnership, our aim is for the Honda PU to deliver the best possible performance, by accelerating development of the turbocharger.
"We hope that as from the 2019 season, Honda's power unit, using the IHI turbocharger, will deliver the sort of performance that thrilled motor sport fans back in the 80s and 90s."
Honda's Katsuhide Moriyama is hopeful the deal will bring a major step in performance, adding: "IHI is well established in the field of rotating machinery technology which it has developed through its shipbuilding and steam turbine business, which was established back in the 19th century.
"We expect this partnership to produce a notable step up in performance. Together, we will keep pushing to fight for wins."
