Red Bull will have to look for new engine partners as Honda announce they will leave F1 at the end of 2021 season thanks to cost cutting issues
- Honda has revealed it will withdraw from Formula One at the end of 2021 season
- Red Bull’s engine partner said cost-cutting was a major factor in its decision
- Managing director Masashi Yamamoto called it a ‘tough time for manufacturers’
Red Bull’s engine partner Honda has announced it will leave Formula One at the end of the 2021 season.
Honda said it needed more resources for its shift to electric road cars and admitted it was a ‘tough time for manufacturers’, stressing the need to focus on cost-cutting.
Red Bull insisted they ‘remained committed to the sport in the long term’ after signing a new deal with F1 in September. It leaves just three engine companies remaining in the sport, with Red Bull and AlphaTauri both looking for new suppliers.
Red Bull’s engine partner Honda will leave Formula One at the end of the 2021 season
Honda’s F1 managing director Masashi Yamamoto told Autosport: ‘We have started to calculate how much it will cost with the future regulations.
‘We have noticed that it’s very tough for all the car manufacturers at the moment, because of the environment change for electrification. So, we are summing up the development cost and having discussions internally.
‘It is true that the cost is the biggest issue. Winning is the first priority. Once we decide to participate, we just try to win.’
Red Bull’s 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 One at the end of the 2021 season.
Honda’s F1 managing director Masashi Yamamoto said it was focusing on cost cutting
‘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.
‘Whilst we are disappointed not to continue our partnership with Honda, we are enormously proud of our joint success, delivering five wins and 15 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 One’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.’
