Honda set to withdraw from Formula 1 at the end of 2021
Published on 02 October 2020 by Niels Hendrix
Red Bull Racing acknowledges the decision by the Honda Motor Company to withdraw from Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season and thanks the company “for its exceptional efforts as power unit supplier to both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri”.
The partnership with Red Bull provided immediate success with Max Verstappen scoring Honda’s first victory since 2006 at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, followed by three further victories and thirteen podium finishes in just 31 race starts.
Additionally, AlphaTauri’s victory at this year’s Italian Grand Prix saw Honda become the only power unit manufacturer to win with two different teams since the start of Formula 1’s hybrid era in 2014.
The decision does not affect Honda’s commitment to achieving the shared goals during the remainder of the partnership with Red Bull, as both aim to build their joint success until the end of 2021.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, said: “As a team we understand how difficult it has been for Honda Motor Company to reach the decision to step back from Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season. The shifting focus within the automotive industry has led to Honda’s decision to re-deploy their resources and we understand and respect the reasoning behind this.”
“Their decision presents obvious challenges for us as a team, but we have been here before and with our strength in depth, we are well prepared and equipped to respond effectively, as we have proven in the past.”
Horner continues: “Whilst we are disappointed not to continue our partnership with Honda, we are enormously proud of our joint success, delivering five wins and fifteen podiums for both Red Bull owned teams and we thank everyone at Honda for their extraordinary efforts and commitment.”
“Our joint focus for the remainder of the 2020 and 2021 seasons are unchanged, to fight for victories and challenge for the championship. As a signatory to Formula 1’s latest Concorde Agreement, Red Bull Racing remains committed to the sport in the long term and we look forward to embarking on a new era of innovation, development and success. As a group, we will now take the time afforded to us to further evaluate and find the most competitive power unit solution for 2022 and beyond.”
