Honda has powered Verstappen to all three of his world championships so far, with the Dutchman the hot favorite to add a fourth consecutive title this year.
The Japanese brand also won two constructors’ championships with Red Bull, the culmination of an initially difficult return to F1 with McLaren in 2015.
Verstappen’s relationship with Honda is expected to end in 2026, at which point the company will become Aston Martin’s factory partner.
Honda had initially decided to withdraw from F1 by the end of 2021, but by the time it reversed that decision, Red Bull had already continued its efforts with its in-house division Red Bull Powertrains in Milton Keynes, which is working on its first custom engine. units for the 2026 rules era.
Barring a change of heart on his part, Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season.
Speaking to Autosport in a rare interview, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said he was sad to see Honda’s relationship with Verstappen come to an end, but that he hoped they would be a day together.
“I don’t think that day will come in a very short period of time, but if both continue their activities in Formula 1 in the future, we hope to be able to work together again one day,” Watanabe said.
“It’s a very good relationship. We trust each other and the people at Honda love Max. We are proud to work with Max, so we will miss him in the future.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, celebrates at Parc Fermé
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“But we still have two years together and we promise to do our best to win another world championship with Max and Red Bull.”
“He is so important. He is now the number one driver in Formula 1.
“Of course, team management is important, as is the machinery, but the combination is crucial and Max is an important part of that.”
Watanabe said Verstappen’s victory at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, the first victory of the Red Bull Honda era and Honda’s first F1 victory in 13 years, is his best memory of the manufacturer’s partnership with Red Bull.
On the podium, Verstappen went out of his way to include Honda in the celebrations, a gesture the proud Japanese company has not forgotten.
“My biggest memory is him pointing out the Honda logo on the podium in Austria at the Red Bull Ring,” Watanabe said.
“I was there, it was a very special moment for me. I was under the podium and that day was so special.
“He always thinks about Honda and often says ‘thank you, Honda’. He expresses his thoughts to the outside world about Honda, which is also important to everyone who works for Honda.”
Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
While Verstappen frequently hints at retiring from F1 once his current contract with Red Bull ends, the chances of a reunification appear low.
That would only be possible if the 26-year-old decides to make a shock move to Aston Martin, where owner Lawrence Stroll is trying to create a “superteam” capable of emulating Red Bull’s successes.
As well as signing Honda, Stroll has poached several key engineers from Red Bull and is understood to have also contacted Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey in recent weeks.
Amid the power struggles dividing Red Bull, Verstappen’s departure before the end of his 2028 contract is still a possibility, with Mercedes another party interested in the Dutchman’s services.
Watch: Alonso commits to Aston Martin with multi-year extension
Honda has powered Verstappen to all three of his world championships so far, with the Dutchman the hot favorite to add a fourth consecutive title this year.
The Japanese brand also won two constructors’ championships with Red Bull, the culmination of an initially difficult return to F1 with McLaren in 2015.
Verstappen’s relationship with Honda is expected to end in 2026, at which point the company will become Aston Martin’s factory partner.
Honda had initially decided to withdraw from F1 by the end of 2021, but by the time it reversed that decision, Red Bull had already continued its efforts with its in-house division Red Bull Powertrains in Milton Keynes, which is working on its first custom engine. units for the 2026 rules era.
Barring a change of heart on his part, Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season.
Speaking to Autosport in a rare interview, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said he was sad to see Honda’s relationship with Verstappen come to an end, but that he hoped they would be a day together.
“I don’t think that day will come in a very short period of time, but if both continue their activities in Formula 1 in the future, we hope to be able to work together again one day,” Watanabe said.
“It’s a very good relationship. We trust each other and the people at Honda love Max. We are proud to work with Max, so we will miss him in the future.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, celebrates at Parc Fermé
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“But we still have two years together and we promise to do our best to win another world championship with Max and Red Bull.”
“He is so important. He is now the number one driver in Formula 1.
“Of course, team management is important, as is the machinery, but the combination is crucial and Max is an important part of that.”
Watanabe said Verstappen’s victory at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, the first victory of the Red Bull Honda era and Honda’s first F1 victory in 13 years, is his best memory of the manufacturer’s partnership with Red Bull.
On the podium, Verstappen went out of his way to include Honda in the celebrations, a gesture the proud Japanese company has not forgotten.
“My biggest memory is him pointing out the Honda logo on the podium in Austria at the Red Bull Ring,” Watanabe said.
“I was there, it was a very special moment for me. I was under the podium and that day was so special.
“He always thinks about Honda and often says ‘thank you, Honda’. He expresses his thoughts to the outside world about Honda, which is also important to everyone who works for Honda.”
Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium with Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
While Verstappen frequently hints at retiring from F1 once his current contract with Red Bull ends, the chances of a reunification appear low.
That would only be possible if the 26-year-old decides to make a shock move to Aston Martin, where owner Lawrence Stroll is trying to create a “superteam” capable of emulating Red Bull’s successes.
As well as signing Honda, Stroll has poached several key engineers from Red Bull and is understood to have also contacted Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey in recent weeks.
Amid the power struggles dividing Red Bull, Verstappen’s departure before the end of his 2028 contract is still a possibility, with Mercedes another party interested in the Dutchman’s services.
Watch: Alonso commits to Aston Martin with multi-year extension