Red Bull must seek new engine deal as Honda withdraw from F1

Honda will withdraw from F1 at the end of 2021 leaving Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri searching for a new engine contract for the future.

The Tilbrook team took on the Japanese engine supplier in 2019, and have picked up five wins and 15 podium finishes in their 31-race partnership so far. Alpha Tauri have also enjoyed two podium finishes and a dramatic win in the Italian Grand Prix earlier this year courtesy of Pierre Gasly.

Honda's withdrawal means Red Bull must now seek an engine deal from Mercedes, Ferrari or Renault - who they split with at the end of 2018 - for 2022 and beyond.

Team Principal Christian Horner, said: “As a team we understand how difficult it has been for Honda Motor Company to reach the decision to step back from Formula One at the end of the 2021 season. The shifting focus within the automotive industry has led to Honda’s decision to re-deploy their resources and we understand and respect the reasoning behind this.

"Their decision presents obvious challenges for us as a team but we have been here before and with our strength in depth we are well prepared and equipped to respond effectively, as we have proven in the past.

“Whilst we are disappointed not to continue our partnership with Honda, we are enormously proud of our joint success, delivering five wins and 15 podiums for both Red Bull owned teams and we thank everyone at Honda for their extraordinary efforts and commitment.

“Our joint focus for the remainder of the 2020 and 2021 seasons are unchanged, to fight for victories and challenge for the championship. As a signatory to Formula One’s latest Concorde Agreement, Red Bull Racing remains committed to the sport in the long term and we look forward to embarking on a new era of innovation, development and success. As a group, we will now take the time afforded to us to further evaluate and find the most competitive power unit solution for 2022 and beyond.”