Horner on Honda's departure: 'Max trusts the team'

Published on 07 October 2020 by Julien Lemmen

Last Friday, Honda announced that they would be withdrawing from Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season. Christian Horner, team principal of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, discusses the impact of Honda's departure in his own column on the official website of the team.

“Since the global lockdown for the Coronavirus pandemic, there has been a shift in the landscape for all automotive manufacturers and global businesses", begins Horner. "There has been a change in emphasis within Honda’s business which has been under consideration for some time and we as a team were aware that this change may require Honda to re-deploy resources currently allocated to the F1 project."

"At the end of last month we were informed that they wanted to bring forward their engine for the 2022 season to 2021. At the time, one could see that either as a good sign or a bad sign, but following our many discussions it did not come as any surprise when they clarified their intention to withdraw from Formula One. Honda have been thoroughly courteous and open with Red Bull and very correct with how they have done things, which has also provided us with time."

"Honda have made it abundantly clear that they are determined to finish on a high and they are fully committed and focused for the balance of this year and for what we think will be a 22 race season next year. We have more to achieve together before we part company and they have pulled forward development so that is an encouraging sign."

"We are of course disappointed not to be able to continue our partnership with Honda and we are all extremely proud of the success that we have achieved in such a short timeframe. Honda came into the Red Bull family, initially with Toro Rosso in 2018 and then with us in 2019, after a difficult re-entry into the sport and we were delighted to achieve podiums and victories in only our first season together. I would be lying if I said it is an easy task for a team to integrate a new power unit and ensure that the communication is there straight away, but the initial work with Toro Rosso helped and as a team we are adaptable and pride ourselves in the depth of knowledge and experience we have to drive success."

"Now the situation is clear and we have time, which we are grateful to Honda for, we must find a competitive power unit solution for 2022 and beyond. We have seen all of the power units converging over the last 12 months and so the landscape is changing as everyone becomes more competitive.The time we now have will enable us to evaluate all options and possibilities. We have won races in the hybrid era with two different power units, so our focus is very much on the chassis and in terms of what that delivers, and whatever power unit we use - we will deliver with."

"People keep asking whether Honda's departure would mean a change in our driver line-up or result in Max leaving the Team. I can tell you, that despite contracts being private there are no clauses related to Honda in Max or Alex's contracts, so it does not change anything. I had a good conversation with Max before the announcement and he is just as motivated, upbeat and trusts the team."

"In terms of Honda, the news does not change anything. We still have a season and a half left using Honda power and we are determined to build on the progress we have made with them. As a group, we have won five races with Honda and scored eight podiums out of 10 races so far this year, so we are still very much focused on achieving more success in 2020 and 2021."