An era of collaboration has come to a close! Honda's technical support journey with Red Bull Powertrains in the thrilling world of F1 racing has reached its final lap. But here's where it gets interesting...
The Partnership's Legacy
Honda and the Red Bull Group joined forces in 2018, a partnership that would shape the future of Formula One. Honda's PUs (Power Units) were supplied to Scuderia Toro Rosso, now known as Racing Bulls, marking the beginning of a successful collaboration. This expanded in 2019 when Red Bull Racing also started using Honda's PUs, and the results were remarkable.
And this is the part most people miss... In 2021, Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, achieved the unthinkable - he won the Drivers' Championship, giving Honda its first F1 title in three decades!
From 2022 onwards, Honda's involvement took a different turn as they provided technical support to Red Bull Powertrains. This support played a crucial role in Red Bull Racing's dominant performances, achieving an incredible 21 wins out of 22 races and securing back-to-back double titles in 2023.
Verstappen's reign continued, claiming his fourth consecutive Drivers' Championship in 2024. But the partnership's impact went beyond just wins and titles.
The Impact and Future
Honda's expertise and resources cultivated through this F1 journey will now be channeled into strengthening their motorsport activities and developing cutting-edge technologies.
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), expressed his pride in their collaboration, saying, "Honda's technology and people have contributed to numerous victories and championships for Oracle Red Bull Racing. We are grateful for this opportunity and will continue to drive the growth of motorsports and Honda's technological innovation."
Over the years, the partnership achieved remarkable results:
- Total Races: 172
- Wins: 72
- Podiums: 141
- Pole Positions: 51
- Drivers' Championships: 4
- Constructors' Championships: 2
The detailed breakdown of drivers, cars, and power units by season is a testament to the partnership's success.
As we bid farewell to this chapter, it's worth reflecting on the impact of such collaborations in the world of motorsport. What do you think? Do you believe these partnerships are crucial for innovation and success in F1? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
