Red Bull in talks with Honda and other engine manufacturers for 2026

After a victorious 3-year partnership with Honda (2019-2021), Red Bull became its own engine manufacturer this season following the Japanese manufacturer's withdrawal. While Honda's support is still important this season, the Austrian team is already discussing the 2026 regulations with the Japanese manufacturer and other entities.

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Last year, Max Verstappen and Red Bull celebrated in the best possible way the end of a successful partnership with Honda by winning the driver’s championship title in Abu Dhabi. Although the engine supplier contract with Honda ended after this final race, the Austrian team will continue to use the Japanese power units until 2025 with the introduction of the new engine regulations under the name Red Bull Power Trains.

However, if the new entity Red Bull Powertrains utilizes the current Honda V6 engines, it does not develop a new engine block. The question of the engine that will equip the Red Bull from 2026 therefore remains unanswered for now. Red Bull has notably invested a lot of money in a brand new factory to develop its own engines from now on.

A collaboration with Porsche that will not have a sequel.

Many names have been mentioned for this question. The one that came up most often is Porsche. However, despite strong interest from the German brand and advanced discussions, the collaboration between the two entities will not take place.

Red Bull wanted to remain the sole owners of the team, and this didn’t suit the Stuttgart-based company, which wanted to hold a large portion of the capital. Helmut Marko discusses this unsuccessful negotiation in an interview for Motorsport-Magazin: “We have learned from the negotiations with Porsche. There won’t be a 50/50 solution.”

Honda and other motor manufacturers

The engine manufacturers have until mid-November to submit their request to the team. However, if this deadline is exceeded, the team will not be penalized unless Honda wishes to introduce its own engine, according to Helmut Marko.

Discussions with Honda are ongoing, and the question is what the Japanese manufacturer could provide to the Austrian team for 2026. One of the components that could come from the Japanese motorist is the MGU-K. Indeed, Honda already has a gigantic infrastructure capable of manufacturing it in Sakura, which is not the case for Red Bull, who currently lacks the necessary expertise to produce this element. Continuing the collaboration with Honda is therefore an option for 2026. But it is not the only one for Red Bull, who could count on several interested parties to collaborate with them, says Helmut Marko.

Audi has announced its arrival in Formula 1 to become a partner of Sauber. Audi is therefore a credible alternative to Porsche or Honda to supply engines to Red Bull. Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault seem to be solutions to be ruled out.

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