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June 20, 2018

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Red Bull confirms Honda switch

Honda will become Red Bull鈥檚 engine supplier from next season after the Formula One team confirmed its anticipated split with Renault yesterday.

The Japanese manufacturer will supply engines for 2019 and 2020, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed the deal as 鈥渁n exciting new phase鈥 in the bid to return to the top of F1.

鈥淎fter careful consideration and evaluation, we are certain this partnership with Honda is the right direction for the team,鈥 Horner said in a team statement. 鈥淲e have been impressed by Honda鈥檚 commitment to F1, by the rapid steps they have made in recent times with our (feeder) team Toro Rosso.鈥

It is a boost for Honda, which was unceremoniously dumped by McLaren at the end of last year.

Honda has started this season brightly as engine provider for Toro Rosso, and this may have been a key factor in Red Bull finally ditching Renault.

鈥淗onda鈥檚 alignment with both Red Bull Formula One teams provides enormous potential,鈥 Horner said. 鈥淗onda will have access to a wealth of data from both outfits, with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing leading the way, and the opportunities for faster, more effective and more competitive development are doubled.鈥

The deal brings to an end Red Bull鈥檚 12-year partnership with Renault.

Although relations became increasingly strained between the two parties in recent years, it was once a dream partnership as Red Bull and Renault won four straight drivers鈥 and constructors鈥 championships with Sebastian Vettel behind the wheel from 2010-13.

During that glory era, Vettel and teammate Mark Webber won 47 grands prix. Since 2013, results have somewhat dried up and there have been only 10 wins. 鈥淲e have sometimes had our differences but Renault has always worked tirelessly and to the best of its ability to provide us with a competitive power unit,鈥 Horner said.

Red Bull showed good speed toward the end of last season when Max Verstappen won two races, and teammate Daniel Ricciardo won this season鈥檚 Chinese GP. The difference in speed between Red Bull and Mercedes appears less than before.

Meanwhile, McLaren鈥檚 partnership with Renault has not been as successful as it anticipated after dropping Honda following three fruitless seasons together.

Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso has failed to finish the past two races and has yet to place higher than fifth. Renault teammate Nico Hulkenberg has a best finish of fourth place.


 

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