Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner says he will carefully consider what partnerships will work if he chooses to partner with another brand other than Honda from 2026.
Red Bull’s F1 engine supplier Honda officially withdrew from F1 at the end of 2021, but agreed to continue to provide technical assistance to Red Bull’s powertrain division (Red Bull Powertrains). The F1 power unit used by Red Bull and Alpha Tauri is still manufactured by Honda.
With the success of this partnership, it was confirmed in the summer of 2022 that Honda’s initial technical contract, which promised support until the end of 2023, was extended until the end of 2025.
From 2026 Red Bull Powertrains is developing its own power unit to meet the new engine regulations to be introduced in F1, with the team open to the possibility of joining another partner from then on.
With a potential partnership with Porsche from 2026 unfulfilled, Christian Horner feels it is important for Red Bull to carefully consider its future partners.
“We are always selective regarding the partners we want to work with,” Horner told RacingNews365.
“I think there’s a commitment from the group on engines by 2030. We’ve made that commitment and it’s a good fit both technically and commercially. Everyone we work with benefits. I need to be there accordingly.”
In terms of how it is defined by Red Bull, Christian Horner has outlined what Red Bull expects from its partners.
“I think I have to be able to bring something to the party,” added Christian Horner.
“It has to complement the Red Bull brand. It has to complement the powertrain business. I see that as a prerequisite for any potential partnership.”
Red Bull has entered into a business partnership with Ford and is rumored to have Ford’s batch on its independently developed Red Bull F1 power unit in 2026.
Category: F1 / red bull / honda f1
