Red Bull Racing reaches agreement with Honda for power unit technology

Red Bull Racing has secured the rights to have Honda power unit technology from 2022, both parties have announced.

After Honda announced they would be leaving the sport after the 2021 season, Red Bull Racing were in search of a new Power Unit for their Formula One cars. With few viable options on the table, an intellectual property rights deal with Honda seemed the most logical solution.

And when a Formula One Commission Meeting voted to freeze engine development from 2022-24, it paved the way for Red Bull Racing to buy Honda’s F1 engine technology and build their own engines. It means that Scuderia Alpha Tauri are also covered until the next generation of engines are introduced from 2025.

"Honda is pleased that, following our decision to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2021, we have been able to reach an agreement for the two Red Bull-owned teams to use our F1 PU technology in F1 after 2021."#PoweredByHonda pic.twitter.com/dk4AlW2U0q

— Honda Racing F1 (@HondaRacingF1) February 15, 2021

“This agreement represents a significant step for Red Bull in its Formula One journey,” commented Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner. “We were understandably disappointed when Honda made the decision to leave the sport as an engine manufacturer, as our relationship yielded immediate success, but we are grateful for their support in facilitating this new agreement.

“Honda has invested significantly in hybrid technology to ensure the supply of competitive power units to both teams. We now begin the work of bringing the power unit division in-house and integrating the new facilities and personnel into our Technology Campus. In the meantime, we are fully focused on achieving the best possible results in what will be Honda’s final season as an official power unit supplier.”

For the production of the new Power Units, Red Bull has formed a new company called ‘Red Bull Powertrains Limited’ which will be operated from Red Bull Racing’s F1 Team Technology Campus in Milton Keynes.

Did someone say FREEZE?! ✋ Introducing Red Bull Powertrains Limited – Powering the Team from 2022 💪 #ChargeOn 🤘

— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 15, 2021

“We have been discussing this topic with Honda for some time and following the FIA’s decision to freeze power unit development from 2022, we could at last reach an agreement regarding the continued use of Honda’s hybrid power units,” added Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Dr Helmut Marko.

“We are grateful for Honda’s collaboration in this regard and for helping to ensure that both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri continue to have competitive power units. The establishment of Red Bull Powertrains Limited is a bold move by Red Bull but it is one we have made after careful and detailed consideration. We are aware of the huge commitment required but we believe the creation of this new company is the most competitive option for both teams.”