Honda 'doing the right thing' with new Red Bull AlphaTauri agreement

Honda

Honda 'doing the right thing' with new Red Bull AlphaTauri agreement

Manufacturer has agreed to allow technology to be used from 2022

Ian Parkes

Friday 19 February 2021 09:59

Honda believes it is doing "the right thing" in allowing Red Bull and AlphaTauri to continue to use its power unit technology from 2022 even though it is pulling out of Formula 1 at the end of the year.

The Japanese manufacturer announced last year it would be withdrawing from the sport after what will only have been a seven-year return in the hybrid era.

F1 and the FIA have since agreed to freeze the power unit for three years from next season, allowing Red Bull and AlphaTauri to agree with Honda to take over the running of its technology for that period by setting up a new in-house company, Red Bull Powertrains Limited.

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Explaining the decision, Honda F1 technical director Toyoharu Tanabe said: “I think it is the right thing for Honda to do, considering our relationship with Scuderia AlphaTauri and Red Bull Racing, and how much Honda has benefited from those partnerships.

"It also reflects the importance of our role and history, as part of the world of Formula 1 over several decades. So, I am glad that Honda has been able to help the two teams and the sport in this way."

Honda helped AlphaTauri score its first win for 12 years last season - and only the second in its history - when Pierre Gasly won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Team principal Franz Tost has expressed his relief an agreement was reached.

Speaking on the day his team launched its 2021 challenger, the AT02, Tost said: “Honda has invested tirelessly and intensively in hybrid technology to achieve a highly competitive power unit.

"Our relationship has always been both very efficient and enjoyable, and that’s why their decision to pull out at the end of 2021 was quite disappointing for the team.

"Today, we are very pleased to hear that this cooperation will not end, as from the beginning of 2022 we’ll continue using Honda power unit technology through the new-born Red Bull Powertrains Limited.

"I would like to thank the FIA and Formula 1 Management, together with all the teams, for having unanimously agreed on the engine freeze from the start of next year, which has enabled this agreement to be reached.

"We believe this is the best solution for the future of both Scuderia AlphaTauri and Red Bull Racing, until the next generation engines are introduced in 2025.

"It’s also a great incentive to achieve the best possible results in Honda’s last season in the sport.”

Technical director Jody Egginton has also declared the announcement "really great news for the team".

Egginton added: "It’s a huge commitment from Red Bull to make but it will allow both Scuderia AlphaTauri and Red Bull Racing to remain competitive by using a PU that we’re already very comfortable with.

"As a customer team you often have to make compromises – such as to the chassis – that can inhibit the true performance of a car, so retaining the PU in-house through Red Bull Powertrains Limited allows us to maintain the best possible package."