Despite having officially left Formula 1 at the end of last year, Honda assures that they continue to closely follow the development of the premier category of motorsports and that they do not rule out a new return.
On October 2, 2020, the year in which Formula 1 experienced its strangest season, since the first GP did not start until July 5 and the Abu Dhabi GP, the last of all, did so on December 13 being only the 17th date on the calendar, it was the date chosen by Sling to announce his goodbye to the queen category of motorsport.
Despite this notice, the RB16B from 2021 It was also powered by a power unit from the Japanese manufacturer as part of its final year of contract, thus contributing to Max Verstappen’s first ever title.
It was then that, after the unsuccessful return at the hands of McLaren before making the leap to the renowned Toro Rosso and later also to Red Bull, the Japanese returned to glory after years of suffering in which very few trusted them. .
Decision… firm?
Starting in 2022, the energy drink team has created the division Red Bull Powertrainsa section of the Austrian team that, after inheriting the Honda power units, works on them with their support.
With a deal between Red Bull and Porsche in the making… is there a future for Honda in Formula 1 if they rethink their position? “Formula 1 is the highest category of motorsport, so We will always be aware of what happens in the world of F1», he confessed Kōji WatanabePresident of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) in Austria.
In the Red Bull Ring were present, in addition to Watanabe, Toshihiro Mibe, CEO of Honda, its president, Seiji Kuraishi, and the director of HRC, Yasuaki Asaki.
“Of course, we conclude our activity here, so nothing has been discussed within Honda about the 2026 season, there is no plan… but we don’t close the door», revealed Watanabe, acknowledging that in 2026 there is the possibility of a return in style.
“I understand that Formula 1 is discussing to decide the 2026 regulations, and definitely the direction is carbon neutrality, the same address as us. Now we don’t have to deviate in that direction in F1; It’s probably a good opportunity to study carbon neutral F1, so it’s not a closed door,” he continued.
Conditions and deadlines
So… What requirements does F1 have to meet for Honda to see it again as a showcase in which to want to show off? “I think there is various factors that we have to watch out for,” Watanabe continued.
“After ending F1 for mass production and carbon neutrality, we have to focus on this aspect first. Then once we realize we can do it, we can consider Formula 1“, specific.
And when would such a decision to return to F1 be announced? “I can’t give an exact time frame, but if we want to return to Formula 1 in 2026, we will probably have to decide in a period of 1 year or a year and a half», detailed Watanabe.
Asked if the Honda logo will once again appear on the bodywork of the Red Bull single-seaters, the Japanese leader explained that “At least until 2025, Honda is going to be a kind of partner of both teams”going on to reveal your personal preferences.
“Although the details have not been decided yet, HRC will also become a kind of technical partner for the two until then. We have to decide what to wear for the next season, but personally I would rather use Honda… so the combination of Honda and HRC”, he analyzed.
Finally, Watanabe revealed a very important detail in his agreement with Red Bull: the intellectual property rights of its engines will return to Honda at the end of 2025. “They can use the intellectual property, but we have not sold it. It is only a lease agreement », he concluded.
Font: motorsport.com