Honda has signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing to supply powertrains from 2019 for at least two seasons of Formula 1.
Team principle Christian Horner (below) said the move aims to promote his squad back into its world championship-winning ways, following several seasons of disappointing results that have been linked to an underpowered Renault hybrid powertrain.
Red Bull last won the title in 2013, which was the last of four years of dominance led by its then star driver Sebastian Vettel. However, in the latest V6 hybrid era, the Austrian-owned and British-based team has since fallen behind rivals Mercedes and Ferrari.
Horner said: “We have always taken decisions such as this dispassionately and with only one criteria in mind — do we believe the outcome will allow us to compete at a higher level? After careful consideration and evaluation, we are certain this partnership with Honda is the right direction for the team.”
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Citing the improving performance of the Red Bull junior team, Toro Rosso (below), which has used Honda power since the start of this year, as a motivating factor in the deal, Horner added that Red Bull has “been impressed by Honda’s commitment to F1, by the rapid steps they have made in recent times with our sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso and by the scope of their ambition, which matches our own”.
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A gamble.....?
Could be, no guarantee that Honda the under performing a Engine supplier is going to transform Redbulls lack luster season so far, ok, it’s not all Hondas fault that McLaren can’t provide a winning Car, but I don’t think all of a sudden they’re going to come up with the goods.
Honda have been continuously
Honda have been continuously improving, unfortunately by the time they are competitive front runners the rules will change. As for mclaren, they aren't exactly shining with the renault engine implying there was more to their woes than a slow developing honda engine.
Are Honda good enough?
Honda worked so well for McLaren didn't it? Have they got what it takes?