Honda believes in a future in F1 again

Slowly, Honda seems to be backtracking on its decision to turn its back on Formula 1. Barely a year after the Japanese company said goodbye to the sport, more and more steps are being taken to return after all. With the Honda brand name back on Red Bull Racing's cars, an important step seems to have been taken, which may be followed by more.

This was not the first time Honda left Formula 1. In the past, this led to F1 personnel also leaving Honda. As a result, the manufacturer had to search for good people again and again. That has changed with the creation of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC): most of the staff are still there and are now allowed to work on all facets of racing in a new laboratory. Formula 1, too.

No secret

Yasuaki Asaki, who was in charge of F1 powerplant development until 2021, seems to make no secret of the fact that Honda is angling for an important role in the F1 paddock. Asaki, meanwhile, is the head of HRC. After Max Verstappen 's win at Suzuka, the Japanese man even got to join him on the podium to collect the constructors' trophy. In conversation with AS-web he explains that the mindset within Honda has totally changed, now that despite its official departure from F1, it has been working on power sources that Red Bull is currently successful with.

"By taking advantage of that one opportunity, I was able to win the title. I think the efforts of the engineers at HRD Sakura changed everyone's mind," he says. That is why the engineer is now given every opportunity by the company's top management to raise the company's profile in various areas of motorsport, Asaki said.