Red Bull Formula 1 will use Honda engines next season "in a switch that marks the final severing" of a "once-dominant" partnership with Renault that "turned sour," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said in a statement, "After careful consideration and evaluation we are certain this partnership with Honda is the right direction for the team." Red Bull won four drivers’ and constructors’ championships in a row with Sebastian Vettel and Renault from '10-13. The pairing "also won 47 races before the current V6 turbo hybrid power units were introduced," but Renault’s "struggles with the new format stretched the relationship to breaking point" and the team now brands its engines Tag Heuer (REUTERS, 6/19). The AP's Jerome Pugmire reported the Japanese manufacturer will supply Red Bull's engines for '19 and '20. It is "a boost for Honda, which was unceremoniously dumped by McLaren at the end of last year." Honda "has started this season brightly as engine provider for Toro Rosso," and this may have been a "key factor" in Red Bull "finally ditching Renault." Horner: "Honda's alignment with both Red Bull Formula 1 teams provides enormous potential. Honda will have access to a wealth of data from both outfits, with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing leading the way, and the opportunities for faster, more effective and more competitive development are doubled" (AP, 6/20). In London, Jack de Menezes reported the short-term agreement of two years "also leaves the door open for a change under the new engine regulations that are yet to be decided," with Aston Martin "considering a move into the sport" from '21 depending on "what direction the sport takes" (INDEPENDENT, 6/19).
A WIN-WIN: The BBC's Andrew Benson reported Honda President Takahiro Hachigo said, "We believe that working with both Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing will allow us to get closer to our goal of winning races and championships, building two strong partnerships. Discussions proceeded very quickly, thanks to Red Bull's open and respectful attitude towards Honda, leading to a deal that is fair and equitable for all parties." The move comes nine months after McLaren decided to end its factory partnership with Honda. But McLaren's decision "has been widely questioned" after the team's performance "has failed to improve" this season (BBC, 6/19).
PROVING A POINT: MOTORSPORT's Jonathan Noble reported Renault said that it "hopes to make Red Bull regret its decision" to switch to Honda next year by "delivering major performance gains with its own engine." Renault F1 Managing Dir Cyril Abiteboul said that his company is "determined to show enough progress with future engines" to leave Red Bull thinking it "may have made the wrong move." He said, "We will do everything we can to make them regret this decision. What I mean by that is simply doing the best we can on track with our own team under our own colors." Abiteboul said that he was "not really taken aback that Red Bull elected to go the Honda route," having originally indicated last year that it "did not want its supply deal to go on" beyond '18 (MOTORSPORT, 6/19).
RISKY BUSINESS?: Baldwin also reported Red Bull’s deal with Honda "has as much potential risk as reward" for the former world champion. On the plus side, Red Bull will effectively be a manufacturer "works" team for the first time in its history. That "should reduce running costs" for the energy drink brand, with Honda said to be bringing $100M a year to McLaren before the end of that failed partnership in '17, and "provide a clear focus." The new partnership with a top-three team gives Honda "the chance to rebuild its standing in the sport." The downside for Red Bull is that, while Honda has "made big progress," it is not yet in the "same league as the frontrunning engines." The gamble "is that Honda can close the gap, given the current stability of engine rules" (REUTERS, 6/19).
