Honda last year announced its departure from F1 as an engine manufacturer to focus on zero-emissions technology at the end of 2021.
Red Bull is looking to end Mercedes’ dominance in the V6 turbo era. (Reuters Photo)
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- Red Bull is preparing to build its own power unit, recruiting staff from Mercedes and building a powertrain company based in Milton Keynes
- Honda last year announced its departure from F1 as an engine manufacturer at the end of 2021, to focus on zero-emissions technology
- Formula One teams and manufacturers have agreed to “freeze” development of the power unit from early 2022
Honda will continue to assemble engines for Red Bull in Japan next year after the manufacturer’s departure from Formula One, team boss Christian Horner said at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Red Bull is preparing to build its own power unit, recruiting staff from Mercedes and using existing Honda technology to build a powertrain company in Milton Keynes, England.
Honda last year announced its departure from F1 as an engine manufacturer to focus on zero-emissions technology at the end of 2021.
“Obviously, as we prepare ourselves within Red Bull powertrains, 2022 will be a transitional year,” Horner said.
“So we are working with Honda to have a soft landing where the engines will continue to be assembled at Sakura in 2022, before starting the process at our new facility for 2023.”
Formula One teams and manufacturers have agreed to “freeze” power unit development from early 2022 until the sport introduces the next generation of power units in 2025.
Red Bull are posing a serious title challenge to Mercedes’ long dominance of the V6 turbo hybrid era and are currently leading both championships.
Dutch youth Max Verstappen is 18 points ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton ahead of Sunday’s race at the team’s home Red Bull Ring.
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