A week ago at Silverstone, Christian Horner denied Red Bull had any talks with Honda over the Japanese manufacturer’s potential official return to Formula 1.
But all of that could be about to change.
In fact, the team’s home race in Austria was to be the scene of the official Red Bull-Porsche announcement for 2026 and beyond. But the 2026 rules, although very advanced, have not yet been validated.
In the meantime, rumors that Honda may be looking to officially return to Formula 1 continue. A delegation from Honda is at the Red Bull Ring this weekend, led by three figureheads, including Honda Motor Co. Chairman and CEO Toshihiro Mibe, Japanese automaker President Seiji Kuraishi and Honda Chairman Racing, Koji Watanabe.
Honda is not looking to compete with Porsche for a 2026 deal, but rather to bring back the Honda name (instead of HRC) on the bodies but also the engines used by Red Bull for the 2023-2025 period.
It would also allow Red Bull Powertrains to be more clearly delegated to Porsche to prepare the new engine during this period.
As for the rumors of acquisition of AlphaTauri by Honda, they are at this stage totally unfounded.