Horner: 'After Honda's announcement we had a good talk with Verstappen'

Honda announced last week that they will stop working in F1 after 2021. This means that Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri will have to look for a new engine supplier. For the team of Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon it is extra sour, because together with Honda they were slowly closing the gap with Mercedes. Christian Horner indicates that he already knew about the announcement.

"At the end of last month we were informed that they wanted to bring forward their engine for the 2022 season to 2021. At the time, one could see that either as a good sign or a bad sign, but following our many discussions it did not come as any surprise when they clarified their intention to withdraw from Formula One", Horner explains in his column on the Red Bull site. "Honda have been thoroughly courteous and open with Red Bull and very correct with how they have done things, which has also provided us with time".

Ending on the high

"Honda have made it abundantly clear that they are determined to finish on a high and they are fully committed and focussed for the balance of this year and for what we think will be a 22 race season next year". Now that Honda has announced that they are leaving, the search has begun for Red Bull to find a new engine supplier. "We are of course disappointed not to be able to continue our partnership with Honda and we are all extremely proud of the success that we have achieved in such a short timeframe. I would be lying if I said it is an easy task for a team to integrate a new power unit and ensure that the communication is there straight away".

"Now the situation is clear and we have time, which we are grateful to Honda for, we must find a competitive power unit solution for 2022 and beyond". Horner indicates that the engine is ultimately a side issue in the design of the car. "The time we now have will enable us to evaluate all options and possibilities. We have won races in the hybrid era with two different power units, so our focus is very much on the chassis and in terms of what that delivers, and whatever power unit we use, we will deliver with", expects Horner. Although the departure of Honda came as a surprise to many, they knew about the announcement at Red Bull.

No departure from Verstappen?

"People keep asking whether Honda's departure would mean a change in our driver line-up or result in Max leaving the Team. I can tell you, that despite contracts being private there are no clauses related to Honda in Max or Alex's contracts, so it does not change anything. I had a good conversation with Max before the announcement and he is just as motivated, upbeat and trusts the Team. There are now some big decisions to be made within the Team and also in the sport as future power unit solutions and technologies are evaluated against the spectacle and DNA of Formula One", Horner concludes.