Red Bull yet to sign contract with Honda

Red Bull yet to sign contract with Honda

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Thursday 5 July 2018 15:25

Red Bull are yet to sign a contract with Honda for the 2019 season, it has been revealed. However, motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko is sure that there is no doubt about the team's involvement with the Japanese marque next year.

A much-anticipated switch from Renault to Honda was confirmed last month, with Red Bull having grown frustrated over their fall from dominance in the V6 hybrid era with the French manufacturer.

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Marko's revelation that only a letter of intent has been signed thus far raises memory of Sauber penning a similar document with Honda last year, only to renege amid a reshuffle of backroom staff and stick with Ferrari.

Marko says there is no chance of Red Bull doing likewise, however.

"It is a normal procedure that the key aspects of the agreement are embedded in a letter of intent", Marko told Motorsport.

"This also includes when the final contract is drawn up. Our contract is legally binding.

"There are no reasons to dissolve, not from both sides, not even if, for example, I leave. Our contract is completely separate from any person.

"For large parties such as Honda and Red Bull, the contract goes back and forth between lawyers, which affects jurisdiction, intellectual property rights, etc.

"Even at Toro Rosso we first had a letter of intent, but the collaboration started immediately after that document was signed. The same thing is happening at Red Bull Racing now. "