Honda announced its withdrawal from F1 after the 2021 season. The Japan-based company had been an engine supplier to Red Bull and Alpha Tauri. Leaving the sport at such a crucial hour has left the team’s scratching their heads for a new engine supplier. Though Ferrari and Mercedes are on the list, the team will have in mind the budget cap levied from 21.
Red Bull had already been suffering to meet the budget cap. Their 2019 accounts exceed the mentioned limit by 100 Million pounds. Additionally, this news crashes on them at their hour of distress.
Horner let out a statement about collaborating with Honda to bring up a car for competing with Mercedes. Well, maybe instead of competing now, they will have to be compromising.
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Following the decision by @HondaRacingF1 to withdraw from #F1 after the 2021 season, we would like to thank them for their exceptional efforts as a power unit supplier and look forward to continued success for the remainder of 2020 and 2021.
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) October 2, 2020
Red Bull chief expressed his thoughts on the context. He tried his best to hide the dire straits the team is in at the moment.
“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. 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,” commented Horner.
Read: Red Bull Racing Spent Over Double the 2021 Budget Cap for the 2019 F1 Season
Red Bull looks to make most of the rest of the time
Honda’s interest in F1 was profit maximization. Given the terms of the Concorde Agreement, that aim will be unfulfilled. Therefore, the decision was inevitable. Although the team principal attempts to be optimistic about the affair, even he is aware of the impending threat to the team.
“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,” remarked Christian Horner.
Red Bull does not appear very stressed. However, the team will have their work cut out for the 2022 season. They still have Honda for the next season, and maybe that will prove helpful. The team congratulated its partner on being a constant source of support. Honda and Red Bull have clinched 15 podiums and 5 wins altogether. The performance of the engine was undoubtedly marvelous.
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“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,” said Horner.
Red Bull and Honda have been a cracking combination on the grid. Arguably the only car that can nudge the AMGs in present. Horner explains that for the remainder of the time, Honda and the team will continue their work. Red Bull looks forward to using this time to the utmost. Simultaneously, a new engine supplier is necessary.
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Read: BREAKING: Honda to Quit F1 in 2021 Leaving Red Bull and AlphaTauri With a Big Headache
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