Honda has registered with the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) as a F1 power unit manufacturer for 2026, but says it has no plans to talk to current partner Red Bull beyond 2026.
Although Honda withdrew from F1 in 2021, it still manufactures F1 power units for both Red Bull teams, and the HONDA logo will be posted on the engine position of the F1 machine in 2023. Furthermore, we are also conducting research on the F1 power unit for 2026, and it is almost equal to continuing F1 activities.
It is ambiguous to leave F1, but it is also ambiguous that the manufacturer registration for 2026 does not mean returning to F1.
As for 2026, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) president Yasuharu Watanabe said it was not yet clear whether Honda’s full return to Formula 1 would actually happen, despite registering as a manufacturer with the FIA. Remember.
“Regulations from 2026 onwards are moving in the direction of carbon neutrality and electrification, which is in line with the basic direction of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.,” said Koji Watanabe.
“Therefore, as a racing company, we have registered as a manufacturer to continue our research.
“I have registered as a manufacturer in order to continue accelerating research on F1, which is the pinnacle.”
“But for the avoidance of doubt, it does not necessarily mean that we will re-enter the race. It means that we can start discussing the technology and it will give us hints on how to make the car carbon-neutral and electrified. “
“We are providing technical support to Red Bull under the current regulations, but we have no plans to speak to Red Bull after 2026.”
Yasuaki Asaki, head of HRC’s four-wheel racing development department, agrees that Honda has a strong interest in “how F1 can survive in a carbon-neutral society.”
“I read that the internal combustion engine and the electric output will be about the same, but I think the sense of survival is very good,” said Yasuaki Asaki.
“For that reason, we have registered as a manufacturer because we are studying what kind of PU can demonstrate competitiveness. We will consider what we can do.”
Category: F1 / honda f1 / red bull