The Red Bull and Powertrains project is already underway: Horner was moved by Honda’s changes

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has admitted that the partnership between the Milton Keynes-based team and Ford would probably not have been born if he had known about Honda’s return to F1 in 2026.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has admitted that the partnership between the Milton Keynes team and Ford would probably never have been born if he had known about Honda’s return in 2026. The Japanese giant had made a decision greetings Prime Minister class, participate in innovative technologies in the division of the road, save the bus turn around and announce an agreement with Aston Martin from 2026.

The Red Bull and Powertrains project is already underway: Horner was moved by Honda’s changes

“It was definitely a costly decision,” said the head of the team on the choice of Red Bull to focus everything in developing its power units in-house.

“For Red Bull’s long-term ambitions, we have moved beyond being a customer team. For us to have a power unit on site, on campus, fully integrated with the chassis and a partnership that is designed with engine and chassis engineers sitting next to each other, I think the benefits are important in the long run.”

“We wouldn’t have made this move if it wasn’t for Honda’s withdrawal. In many ways, we are grateful for the inspiration of our engine plant, for the jobs it has created and provided, and of course. with the partnership we have with Ford, which is very exciting”.

As it has been known for a long time, the firm of Milton Keynes established has decided to partner with Ford from 2026, giving life to the Red Bull Power Train project. A turning point for the Anglo-Austrian team, che will be able to count the engines produced in his own premises for the first time since his Formula 1 debut.

“Red Bull and shareholders’ commitment to the project”, continues Horner”Would we make the same decision if we knew what Honda’s decision was today? Not at all. But we took it and committed. The more involved we are, that is how we see the benefits for the group in the long term”.

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As for the agreement between Aston Martin and the Japanese giant, we will therefore have six manufacturers who have signed up for 2026: Honda, Red Bull-Ford, Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault (Alpine) and Audi.

“I think it’s good for Honda,” he added. “It’s good for Formula 1. They are a great brand and have a great legacy in the game. We have enjoyed and continue to benefit, and we will do that for another two and a half years, a good relationship and supply with them.”

They actually announced their retirement in 2020 and this forced us to make a long-term decision about which path was best for us. We have created Red Bull Powertrains. They have agreed to be the technical distributor of Red Bull Powertrains. We have enjoyed a very good working relationship. But we are really now on our journey as engine manufacturers.

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