Max Verstappen, Red Bull form won't convince Honda to stay in F1

Honda

Verstappen, Red Bull form won't convince Honda to stay in F1

Will we see both team and supplier go?

Matthew Scott

Tuesday 26 November 2019 11:00

Honda's F1 chief Masashi Yamamoto says Max Verstappen and Red Bull's recent success will not sway the Japanese manufacturer as it ponders its future in Formula 1.

Red Bull chief Dr Helmut Marko has previously suggested that the team will exit F1 if Honda decides to do likewise under the new regulations in 2021, which Liberty Media published at the United States GP.

Christian Horner recently spoke in hope of Verstappen's dominant victory from pole at the Brazilian GP helping to convince Honda to remain in F1 beyond the end of next year.

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But Yamamoto says the success must balance with the costs of supplying both Red Bull and sister team Toro Rosso for the years to come.

"We have started to calculate how much it will cost with the future regulations," Yamamoto told Motorsport.com.

"We have noticed that it's very tough for all the car manufacturers at the moment, because of the environment change for electrification. So, we are summing up the development cost and having discussions internally.

"It is true that the cost is the biggest issue.

"Winning is the first priority. Once we decide to participate, we just try to win.

"It's positive to have good results. But more important thing is a balance with the cost. We have to put lots of budget to accelerate our development to catch up the top runners.

"And now we are planning how to maintain current condition and reducing the cost at the same time."

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