A new dawn approaches: Honda and Red Bull's F1 partnership so far

After months of debate, speculation and perhaps expectation, Red Bull Racing confirmed the Honda engine takeover on Monday morning with an agreement to their engine development freeze across all teams. The two will stick together to see out the 2021 season, but after that Red Bull will be doing the engine work on their own. 

The story so far

Towards the end of their time together, it was clear that Red Bull's relationship with Renault wasn't the greatest nor the strongest. Despite winning those four consecutive world championships, it was clear Red Bull wanted to change their engine partners. 

In 2018, Toro Rosso [now known as AlphaTauri] were the guinea pigs. They ran with the Honda engine to test things out with the Japanese manufacturer. Probably because Honda's partnership with McLaren didn't produce many positives. 

Toro Rosso moved backwards in the World Championship. They finished 9th, with only Williams behind them. Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley scored just 33 points, though the Frenchman did foreshadow was what was to come with a fourth-place finish in Bahrain. 

Moving into the Red Bull

Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and co were pleased enough with the result and the way Honda worked together with the sister team. They opted to put the Japanese engine in Max Verstappen's car. Gasly stayed with the Honda engine with his promotion up to Red Bull. 

In the first race, more foreshadowing was done. Verstappen took the lead in the Australian Grand Prix, and therefore Honda led a race for the first time since 2008. It was shortlived but the Dutchman found himself on the podium. 

They had to wait until the Spanish Grand Prix before Red Bull reached the podium again, but by this time confidence in the engine increased. Just a few rounds later in Austria, Verstappen recorded Honda's first Grand Prix victory since their return to Formula 1 in 2015. It was only Honda's second win since 1992. 

Whilst Ferrari and ultimately Mercedes were stronger, Red Bull's collaboration with Honda was worthwhile. Throughout the season, the two partners developed the car well. Verstappen scored his first career pole position in Hungary and went on to win the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Moving up in the Championship

Ferrari dropped off the pace in 2020, but Red Bull continued to move forward with Honda. Although news broke about Honda's departure, the parties continued to push Mercedes. Verstappen ended up winning two races in 2020, and importantly took pole position in the final race of the season.

But that wasn't the only positive story for Honda. The Italian Grand Prix in Monza was chaotic, but it was Gasly in the Honda-powered AlphaTauri who stood above the rest and claimed the race win. Perhaps one of the greatest stories of the F1 season.