Red Bull F1 Aiming to Use Honda for a ‘Softer Landing’: Horner

Honda’s time in Formula 1 is inching towards the end after a rather rollercoaster journey since 2015. After a horrendous start to the F1 campaign with McLaren, here they stand, pushing Red Bull toward their first championship title in years.

And the relationship between the two has inexplicably grown strong, considering Honda were very much happy to share their engine designs with Red Bull, who are set to join the 2022 season as engine suppliers.

So, amidst the upcoming transition, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s boss, revealed that Honda’s exit from F1 doesn’t necessarily mean they will leave altogether. Instead, the Briton reckoned the duo will continue their relationship in “some form.”

What did the Red Bull boss say?

During a podcast, Horner revealed that Honda will continue working with the team beyond their official exit from F1 as power unit suppliers.

“Next year, we’re certainly aiming to retain some form of relationship. We’re aiming to have a softer landing as we can because it’s an enormous challenge to start from scratch as an engine builder,” he told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast.

For the first time since 2013, Red Bull are looking quite threatening, and are very much on course to glory. Mercedes were the only hindrance at the start of this season. But Max Verstappen has managed to silence the Brackley outfit with his consistently dominant performances.

From here on, it seems like nothing can stop Red Bull from halting Mercedes’ seven-year title run.

Shame to see them withdraw: Horner

Horner isn’t happy seeing Honda bowing out of the sport, as he reckoned it is a great shame. “They’ve made their decision. They’re withdrawing officially at the end of the year,” he said.

“And it’s a great great shame. Because we’d love them to stay longer. We’re just about to go under a freeze for the next three years. So, costs are far more controlled. You know, they’ve worked hard to get themselves into a competitive position.”

Overall, Honda couldn’t have asked for a perfect send-off from their customers. Red Bull aren’t the only ones gifting the Japanese manufacturers with trophies, but also AlphaTauri; Pierre Gasly recently secured a podium for his team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

So, will there be more such podiums from both teams over this season?

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