Honda and Red Bull joke: 'The orange army's newest recruit'

The relief that erupted after Max Verstappen's victory at Zandvoort circuit was not only felt by the fans in the stands or the driver himself. Red Bull Racing and engine supplier Honda also celebrated. Strategic director Toyoharu Tanabe was in such a celebratory mood that he appeared on the grid in an orange cheering cape.

After the Dutch Grand Prix, Tanabe was spotted on the grid, decked out in an orange cape embellished with a lion's head. Red Bull Racing took a picture and posted it on twitter with the caption reading: "Is this the newest member of the orange army?

The Orange Army has a new recruit, @HondaRacingF1? pic.twitter.com/f1A49d5Ynd

— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) September 5, 2021

Honda were only too happy to go along with the joke, posting a video of Tanabe dancing and partying in the cheering cape in response. "You might be right," was the response from the Honda media team.

Yeah, you might be right @redbullracing... https://t.co/rfBC08JCkI pic.twitter.com/jNKOP78A88

— Honda Racing F1 (@HondaRacingF1) September 5, 2021

Out with a bang

The collaboration between Red Bull Racing and engine supplier Honda runs until the end of 2021. After that Red Bull will have full control of the engine project. Honda's intention is to say goodbye to the racing class with a constructors' title, to which the result at Zandvoort has brought the Japanese manufacturer another step closer.