Honda has not left F1 at all and is already considering a return – F1sport.cz

Honda formally withdrew from Formula One at the end of last year, despite winning the title with Red Bull. The Japanese carmaker wanted to shift its resources to new challenges in the automotive industry – especially electrification.

Red Bull has founded a new company Red Bull Powertrains, which attracted, among other things, a large number of Mercedes engineers. The plan was for Red Bull to build its own power units. Honda will initially support this effort to keep the transition smooth.

But in the end it was different and Honda still makes engines in Japan and Red Bull sells them. He doesn’t have to worry about development, because the development of current power units has been frozen.

Delay

F1 now addresses bouncing, technical guidelines and other topics. It turned out that the rules for the power units that will enter F1 in 2026 are being finalized behind the scenes.

Michael Schmidt from Auto Motor und Sport said that the new rules should have been approved on June 29, but this will not happen. The reason is to be the “ego” of the new FIA president. He did not want to let his secretary general set a date. Stefano Domenicali made it clear to the FIA ​​that the vote must take place soon, otherwise Audi and Porsche could back off.

The delay should not be large. Everything will probably be approved by the F1 Commission in July. Then the World Council of Motorsport must vote, probably at an extraordinary meeting.

And who will build the new power units? In addition to the existing manufacturers (Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault), these will most likely be the mentioned brands from the VW Group. Porsche will cooperate with Red Bull, Audi will buy Sauber.

However, according to Michael Schmidt, Honda is increasingly likely to return. Who would she supply? She could (re) work with AlphaTauri or have her own team.

–