P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The partnership between Honda and Red Bull is coming to a definitive end after this year. The situation, however, could have been very different.
When Honda withdrew from Formula 1 in late 2020, it marked the end of their partnership with Red Bull, which had seen Max Verstappen win his first world title in 2021. Despite a new deal to use Honda engines until this year, Red Bull is now developing its own power unit with Ford. Honda will partner exclusively with Aston Martin. Talks about potential collaborations with other teams started after Honda’s application to develop engines under the new 2026 regulations. Several teams, including McLaren, expressed interest in Honda’s engines, but Aston Martin was ultimately chosen as the new partner, leaving the future open for Honda’s return to Formula 1.
