Red Bull team boss Christian Horner admits that his squad wouldn’t have established the ‘Red Bull Powertrains’ division if it knew Honda would return to Formula 1.
Red Bull set up its own engine department in the wake of Honda’s announcement that it would leave the sport at the end of the 2021 campaign.
Honda has since offered technical support to the new Red Bull Powertrains division, after the energy drink backed-squad invested heavily in establishing its own Power Unit branch.
However, Honda confirmed earlier this week that it would return to F1 in 2026, supplying engines to the Aston Martin squad.
Although Horner feels that Red Bull was right to move on from being a ‘customer team’, he says that it wouldn’t have set up its own department had it known that Honda was poised to return.
“It was certainly an expensive decision but look, I think for us, for the long-term prospects of Red Bull, we’ve outgrown being a customer,” he said.
“For us to have the Power Unit on site, on campus, integrated fully with chassis and the synergies that creates, with engine and chassis engineers sitting next to each other, I think for us, for the long term, the advantages are significant.
“And we would not have made that jump had it not been for Honda’s withdrawal.
“So in many respects, Honda, we should be grateful for giving us that push to create our own engine facility and the jobs that it’s created and provided.
“Would we have made the same decision knowing what Honda’s decision is today? Absolutely not.
“But we’ve made it and we’re committed to it and the more we’ve got involved, the more benefit we see to the group long term.”
Red Bull will enter into a partnership with Ford for the 2026 season, but will continue to work with Honda until the new regulations come into play.
Despite the extra expense that Honda’s exit placed on Red Bull, Horner asserts that he is pleased to see the manufacturer return.
“I think it’s positive for Honda, it’s positive for Formula 1,” he said. “They’re a great brand. And have got a great legacy in the sport.
“We’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy, and will do so for another two and a half years, a great relationship and supply with them.
“Obviously, they announced their withdrawal in 2020. And that forced us to make a decision, long term-wise as to what strategically was the best route forward for us.
“And so, we created Red Bull Powertrains, they agreed to become a technical supplier to Red Bull Powertrains, and we’ve enjoyed a great working relationship.
“But of course, now we’re off on our own journey as an engine manufacturer, with the partnership with Ford. And that’s exciting for us for the future.
“Honda, from 2026 will become a competitor, but I think it’s positive for Formula 1, it’s positive for them to remain in the sport.”
