Red Bull bids farewell to Honda as eight-year F1 partnership ends
Red Bull and Honda have officially ended their eight-year Formula 1 partnership, a period that yielded four drivers' titles and 71 wins. Honda moves to power Aston Martin from 2026, while Red Bull begins its own power unit project with Ford.
Red Bull has officially bid farewell to Honda, marking the end of an eight-year Formula 1 partnership that delivered four consecutive drivers' championships and two constructors' titles. The Japanese manufacturer will now become the exclusive power unit supplier for Aston Martin from 2026, while Red Bull transitions to developing its own power unit through Red Bull Powertrains in collaboration with Ford.
Why it matters:
This split signifies a major strategic shift for both entities. For Red Bull, it's the beginning of a high-stakes journey to become a true constructor by developing its own power unit, a move that could define its long-term competitiveness. For Honda, the partnership with Aston Martin represents a fresh start with a team on an ambitious upward trajectory, aiming to replicate the championship-winning success it found with Red Bull.
The details:
- The partnership began in 2018 with the junior Toro Rosso team (now Racing Bulls) before expanding to the senior Red Bull Racing squad in 2019.
- Together, they achieved 71 Grand Prix wins, 140 podiums, and four Drivers' World Championships with Max Verstappen from 2021 to 2024.
- Red Bull commemorated the end with a nostalgic video montage, highlighting key moments like the first win with Honda at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly's shock victory at Monza in 2020, and Verstappen's maiden title in Abu Dhabi 2021.
- In a symbolic farewell, Verstappen drove his championship-winning RB16B car through the streets of Tokyo earlier this year, calling it a "goodbye for now."
Looking ahead:
The legacy of the Red Bull-Honda era is one of the most successful engine partnerships in modern F1 history. While the paths diverge, the spirit of collaboration remains. Red Bull's new venture with Ford is a monumental challenge that will test its technical capabilities, while Honda's alignment with Aston Martin's growth project offers a new canvas for its engineering prowess. The success of these new chapters will be measured against the incredibly high bar set during their eight iconic seasons together.