In 2018, Red Bull Racing decided that they needed to make a change with regards to their power unit, having been hindered by an unreliable Renault engine for a number of seasons.
The energy drink giants decision to put their faith in Honda to change their fortunes, a decision which has paid dividends over and over again.
In a Honda powered car, Max Verstappen has won the past two drivers’ championships, helping to bring the constructors’ championship back to Milton Keynes in 2022 along the way.
The team will be parting ways with Honda ahead of the new engine regulations that come into effect in 2026 however, as Red Bull will officially become powered by Red Bull Powertrains.
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At the team’s season launch last week in New York it was announced that Red Bull Powertrains would be partnering with Ford in 2026, with the car manufacturer returning to F1 to help the team produce the most competitive power unit possible.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has now revealed that his team did explore the possibility of continuing with Honda after 2026, but the deal became too complicated to complete.
“We have a great relationship with Honda and we’ve enjoyed so much success with them and that relationship runs to the end of 2025,” said Horner.
“Both the team and Honda will be doing everything possible to add to the success that we’ve already achieved to the conclusion of those agreements.
“We explored the relationship beyond 2025. But it just logistically became too complicated.”
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It was initially rumoured that Red Bull were going to partner with Porsche for 2026 before Ford entered the frame, however the deal broke down midway through last year.
Red Bull were concerned that a partnership with Porsche would see them lose their independence, such was the level of involvement that the car manufacturers wanted.
Ford’s involvement with the team will solely be around Red Bull Powertrains, leaving Red Bull Racing as the Formula 1 giant fans have come to know.