Honda to supply engines to Red Bull Racing in 2019 and 2020
- Published on 19 Jun 2018 09:50
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Honda and Red Bull Group have signed an agreement whereby Honda will enter into a partnership with Red Bull Racing to supply it with power units for two years from the start of the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship. This will be in addition to its current agreement with Red Bull Scuderia Toro Rosso. The two Red Bull-owned teams will run identical specification Honda Power Units.
Takahiro Hachigo, President and Representative Director of Honda Motor Company: “Having established a good relationship with Scuderia Toro Rosso, we have decided to extend our Formula One involvement to the other team in the Red Bull family, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, as from the 2019 season. Having two teams means we can access twice as much data as previously. We believe that working with both Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing will allow us to get closer to our goal of winning races and Championships, building two strong partnerships. Discussions proceeded very quickly, thanks to Red Bull’s open and respectful attitude towards Honda, leading to a deal that is fair and equitable for all parties.”
Helmut Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Advisor: “This partnership with Honda signals a new era for Red Bull Group in Formula One with both the Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing teams benefitting from common supply co-ordinated through Red Bull Technology. We have been extremely impressed by Honda’s commitment and progress and share like minded ambitions to compete for Championships. With this integrated approach between the companies we very much look forward to working with Honda.”
Christian Horner, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team Principal: “This multi-year agreement with Honda signals the start of an exciting new phase in Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s efforts to compete not just for grand prix wins but for what is always our goal – championship titles. We have always taken decisions such as this dispassionately and with only one criteria in mind – do we believe the outcome will allow us to compete at a higher level. After careful consideration and evaluation we are certain this partnership with Honda is the right direction for the team. We have been impressed by Honda’s commitment to F1, by the rapid steps they have made in recent times with our sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso, and by the scope of their ambition, which matches our own. We look forward to working with Honda in the coming years and to racing together in pursuit of F1’s biggest prizes.”
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Replies (19)
Login to replyFreguz
Posts: 160
Finally!
This is going to be good (I hope)
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Very interesting. I think this will be a good thing. It's pretty clear that the partnership between Toro Rosso and Honda has been much better than that of Red Bull and Renault (the past few seasons anyway).
Also I think that the Renault engine is overrated by most people. It's really not that reliable or powerful considering how many cars they've powered in the PU era, whereas Honda only had one team, and a problematic one at that.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
This will be interesting for sure. And to sign a 2 year deal... But Im happy they are giving them the chance. I agree about the Renault engine, and as I've said before, it wouldnt surprise me if Honda were to surpass Renault before the end of the season, because since Canada, the power difference is minimal at best. But we'll see. This is getting really interesting.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
Good news!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
*Enters party mode* WINNING!!! XD
Kean
Posts: 692
I honestly believe that this will be a winning combination. Red Bull and Toro Rosso have time and again proven their ability to build great cars, and I'm sure Honda will match or ever surpass Renault before the 2019 season. But above all, it is the Alonso jinx that pretty much guarantees the success of this partnership. However, recent reports suggest that there is more to it regarding the troubles at McLaren than just the Alonso jinx. Perhaps we need to add to that the Brown-Boullier inability-to-run-a-team factor. Perhaps the board really should fire those two and bring back Whitmarsh?...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Can I coin the phrase Arabiteboullierneux? It would combine four great bullshitters, 3 from F1 and 1 from gaming, into one phrase? Honestly, Im not sure what Brown is even doing at the moment, aside from failing to grab a title sponsor, but Boullier seem to at best be at the wrong position. I used to like the dude, but I think he got too much spotlight, and need someone else to grab his current position and let him do whatever he does best. But there do seem to be some major issues over at McLaren.
talktohenry
Posts: 362
I hope I am wrong, but I think it will create instability and is very high risk. I bet DC will be off to Ferrari or Merc now, but Honda have major resources as much as Merc and Ferrari so they have their eye on the long term I guess, but I don't think MV will cope with being in the midfield if this ends up happening, but risk, but who knows how this will play out...
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Honda going to regret this decision just as much as Renault has regretted having to deal with RB as a customer. Nobody else wants to give them engines because they are a terrible customer!
Hombibi
Posts: 137
I don't think any company gives anything to its customers. Customers buy, (something they need) and companies sell (something that should address the customer's need).
As it stands today Renault is happy to sell engines to RB, Honda apparently too. Aston Martin seems to be happy with RB as well. Although not an engine manufacturer yet they do expose themselves as such.
So that only leaves Mercedes and Ferrari who do not want to sell an engine to RB. If you think that that is because you believe RB are a bad customer than you might want to have a look at this year's Monaco race and comments again.
The reason why these two teams don't want to sell engines to RB is because the chance is too high that they will be defeated by their own engine in a RB chassis.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Finally! Red bull got courage.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
As predicted. Excellent link up makes complete sense. Honda will love to have an driver like Verstappen like they did with Senna in their McLaren days.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I think everyone saw this coming in slow motion. Frankly good for RB and Renault. The relationship was borderline toxic. I am still skeptical of Honda producing an engine superior to Renault, I think for at least 2019 this will mean RB will fall further behind. I'm also wondering what happens with the Aston Martin and Tag Heuer badges.
RacetoWin
Posts: 95
Happy to see Honda get rewarded for their hard work after being the punching bag and insulted on a daily basis at McLaren.
RacetoWin
Posts: 95
The way Renault treated the Torro Rosso team last year was probably a factor on why RedBull should move on and choose Honda power as they both want to win nad are willing to work to make it happen.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I wonder if Renault are going to run out of parts again this year ?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It would be a very "Renault" thing to do, wouldnt it?
f1ski
Posts: 726
on a different note can't wait for the new engines post 2020. the noises from lemans were so sweet I miss 18000 rpm
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
20 years after Max's dad worked with Honda to have them return as a constructor (until the untimely death of Dr Postlethwaite ) - let's hope this Verstappen-Honda pairing is more successful!