The Japanese manufacturer pulled out of grand prix racing at the end of the 2021 season, with it clear that its focus on ramping up its electric road car business meant it could no longer justify an F1 programme.
But it still kept its toe in the water as it leased the IP of its power units to Red Bull after 2021, the team going on to win the drivers’ world championship with Max Verstappen.
Its ongoing success this year has prompted an increase in its presence, with Honda logos returning to the Red Bull cars from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards.
The current arrangement with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2025 season, after which the Milton Keynes-based team plans to run its own power unit.
But talk about Honda coming back to F1 moved forward when an original plan for Red Bull to tie-up with Porsche from 2026 fell through after talks between the parties collapsed.
Immediately after that news emerged, Red Bull, which is developing its own engine, said it was open to potentially partnering with Honda – especially on the increased electrical element of the F1 power unit.
That idea has inched forward now with Honda’s motorsport chief revealing in Japan on Monday that the company had formally registered its interest as an engine manufacturer.
The FIA had laid down a request for all manufacturers that want to run power units from 2026 to notify the governing body of their intentions by the middle of November.
Honda Racing president Koji Watanabe confirmed that Honda had done so – but was clear to explain that this did not necessarily mean it would definitely enter from 2026.
“As HRC, we have registered as a PU manufacturer after 2026,” said Watanabe during Honda’s 2023 Honda Motor Sports Activity Plan Presentation.
“The F1 regulations from 2026 onwards are moving in the direction of carbon neutrality.
“In addition, the fact that electrification is also being promoted, and the carbon neutrality and electrification that Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is promoting, is the same. The targets match.
“As a racing company, we have registered as a manufacturer in order to advance research on racing.
“There is also the fact that November 15 was the deadline (for registration). We have registered as a manufacturer in order to continue [this research].”
A Honda logo on a Red Bull engine cover
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Honda’s decision to register means it now has scope to evaluate whether or not to push on…
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