Could Honda leave F1? "There's a hype now and they've got Verstappen"

Tom Coronel and Robert Doornbos do not expect that the financial consequences of the coronavirus will cause Honda to say goodbye as an engine supplier to Red Bull Racing and Formula 1. However, Coronel will make sure that the Japanese manufacturer is 'world champion' in pulling the plug at the wrong time.

To the question of presenter Rob Kamphues at Ziggo Sport whether there is a chance that Honda might seduce Formula 1 as a result of the corona crisis, Doornbos answers after some reflection time. "As an engine supplier I don't think so, because they show good things now", he starts to tell. "They have sunk deep with McLaren and so bad that they felt the same when they sold their car".

Coronel then intervenes quickly. "Wait a minute," it suddenly sounds from the other side of the table. "There was also a time when they pulled the plug and became world champion with a Brawn the following year. Honda is also the world champion in the plug when you shouldn't be pulling the plug," Coronel refers to the Honda exit after the 2008 season.

The WTCR driver would find it unwise for the Japanese engine supplier to turn their backs on Formula 1 now. "Of course there is a hype now and they have Max Verstappen, plus a good engine. They can now taste that it is going to be all right. However, if a couple of Japanese say they don't want to continue, the plug is pulled out".

Future Renault uncertain

The consequences of the corona crisis are also noticeable at Renault, thinks Doornbos. "I think they are having a very hard time. At the end of the day, Renault is in the throes of the electrification of the automotive industry, which is just around the corner. Are they going to continue to invest in Formula 1, while there isn't much coming back? There's no good exposure, engines blowing and a factory team that's slower than a customer team. That doesn't help with your production sales of your cars. There's zero exposure at Renault."