Tost doesn't get Honda's departure: "After a title you have to harvest"

Max Verstappen, Red Bull and Honda have taken a huge step together this year. The differences compared to last year are huge, and the Dutchman and his team now have a real chance of winning the world championship for the first time.

Franz Tost, Verstappen's ex-teammate, is also surprised about how Honda has progressed so much in such a short time. This he says in an interview with NOS. He secretly hopes that Honda will stay, instead of saying goodbye to Formula 1 after the 2021 season.

"It's hard for me to grasp it. They have invested a lot and worked very hard to be able to win races. Of course, I think they should continue. When Max becomes world champion and Red Bull Racing wins the team championship with Honda it's a great achievement. But if you stop afterwards everyone will have forgotten about it by February."

Not the right time for Honda to say goodbye?

At least that's what Tost thinks. "From a business point of view, I don't understand it either. After a title, you have to harvest. Formula 1 is a great advertising tool. Honda has all the ingredients: the best driver, a great team, a winning engine and a Japanese in the cockpit. But yes, the management thinks F1 doesn't fit their vision of the future and has cut the knot. I don't expect them to go back on that."

Red Bull are already working behind the scenes to take over some of Honda's work themselves. They will do so permanently from 2022 when the power unit will be the responsibility of Red Bull. Before that, however, Honda will want to say goodbye with a title in Formula 1. In that respect, at the halfway point of the season, things are looking good for Honda and co.