Honda officially left F1 at the end of the 2021 season, but it has continued to support Red Bull-owned teams on their power units through its racing division, Honda Racing Corporation, in a deal running until at the end of 2025.
But the Honda brand will now return to Red Bull and AlphaTauri cars from this weekend after the announcement of an enhanced partnership on Wednesday, marking the rapprochement between the two parties since leaving the Japanese manufacturer’s factories.
As well as displaying the Honda logo on the Red Bull RB18 and AlphaTauri AT03 from Suzuka, Red Bull driver Sergio Perez will take on the role of Honda Racing School driving academy ambassador.
Perez will be joined by Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen and AlphaTauri drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda at Honda’s HRC Thanks Day on November 27, a week after the end of the F1 season.
“Honda has invested heavily in hybrid technology during our partnership,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
“This has ensured the supply of competitive power units to both teams, which we are very grateful for. Our combined goal is to continue to deliver dominant engines and achieve as much success as possible over the next three years.
“To mark this, we are looking forward to welcoming the Honda logo on the car from Suzuka.”
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, added: “The HRC logo on the nose and the Honda logo on the side of both teams’ racing machines represent the close ties between Honda and Red Bull Group.
“With the technical support provided by HRC, Honda will fully support the challenges these machines take on to become ‘the fastest in the world’.
“We are very pleased to have these machines unveiled at the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, where Honda is the title sponsor.”
Watanabe was part of a Honda delegation that visited the Austrian Grand Prix in July, where he said F1 was “not a closed door” for Honda from 2026 given plans for the next generation of motor units.
Red Bull is known to be open to working with a manufacturer on a technical partnership from 2026 after its planned partnership with Porsche collapsed.
Horner suggested following failed talks with Porsche that Honda could help Red Bull with its powertrain project from 2026, but noted Red Bull’s internal operation was already well underway with plans. for new engines.