Honda’s fourth and possibly final spell as a Formula 1 manufacturer ended on a high – one which looked distinctly unlikely when it struggled on its return to the sport in 2015.
Honda was the last manufacturer to take a chance on developing an F1 power unit to the current V6 hybrid turbo regulations. It is also the first of those to leave, citing the need to refocus its research and development efforts on electrifying its road car range.
It heads for the exit having become the only manufacturer besides Mercedes to power a driver to the world championship in F1’s hybrid era. Renault – Honda’s predecessor as Red Bull’s supplier – has so far conspicuously failed to live up to its title-winning achievements in the V8 era, as is also true of Ferrari.
When Honda announced it was entering F1 for a fourth time, reuniting with McLaren for the 2015 season, there were great hopes. A legendary partnership was reunited and benefitted from two world champion drivers as Jenson Button…