Honda could return to FORMULA 1 sooner that first thought.
Honda formally left F1 at the end of 2021 after Max Verstappen secured his maiden Championship with a Honda powered Redbull.
Redbull secured an agreement to take control of the Honda designed Power Units, which are assembled and shipped from Japan as part of the deal.
Senior Honda staff, including CEO Toshihiro Mibe, chairman Seiji Kuraishi, HRC president Koji Watanabe and director Yasuaki Asaki, were all in attendance at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, with Watanabe saying “Formula 1 is the top motorsports category, so we are always watching what is happening in the F1 world”
HRC’s President went on to say “[But] it is not a closed door. My understanding is F1 is discussing to decide the regulations for 2026 and definitely the direction is carbon neutrality. That is the same direction as us. So we don’t have to [diverge] from carbon neutrality through F1 now. It is probably also a good opportunity to study carbon-neutral F1. So it’s not a closed door.” This would seem to show that Honda still has a desire to return to FORMULA 1 the conditions are right for all concerned.
Interestingly Watanabe also confirmed that Redbull did not but the Honda Power Unit IP out right, they are due to return to Honda for 2025, in Watanabe describes as a lease agreement with Redbull.