Marko reveals: 'Honda not our only option for 2026'

Negotiations between Red Bull Racing and Porsche over a partnership broke down earlier this year. Helmut Marko confirms that the team is now in talks with Honda, although Red Bull also has other alternatives.

Following Honda's departure at the end of the 2021 season, Red Bull set up the Powertrains company to develop its own engine. However, Red Bull Powertrains is costing the team a lot of money as there are only expenses and no revenues. Therefore, a partnership with an engine supplier would be very welcome. Due to the huge success of Red Bull and Max Verstappen, Honda regretted its F1 exit. In October, Red Bull announced that the partnership with Honda would be strengthened after all.

The Japanese engine supplier is keen to stay in the sport. After the failed marriage with Porsche, there is room next to Red Bull. "If they had not pulled out, we could have saved ourselves the whole investment", Marko fears in conversation with Motorsport-Magazin.com. The Red Bull adviser does confirm that talks are being held with Honda.

However, negotiations are not going very smoothly. "We have learnt our lessons from the negotiations with Porsche. There will not be a 50/50 solution", Marko assures. Red Bull wants to remain in charge of the team. Engine manufacturers have until mid-November to apply, but according to Marko, Red Bull will not be affected by that deadline. "Unless Honda wants to introduce its own engine."

Red Bull has several alternatives

The question then arises what contribution Honda can and may make from 2026. It is possible that the Japanese engine supplier will supply the MGU-K to the team, as Honda has a large infrastructure in Sakura. Red Bull itself does not yet have the necessary electrical expertise. With Porsche, the plan was for the MGU-K to be developed in Germany.

So a collaboration with Honda would be a good solution for the team. "But it is not our only option", Marko reveals. There are apparently several parties interested in working with Red Bull. However, they are not Hyundai or KIA, Marko reveals. "We also have other alternatives."