Honda Motor Corporation announced it will pull out of the sport at the end of 2021 and focus attention on zero-emissions technologies.
The decision will leave three engine manufactures in the sport–Ferrari and Mercedes–who have already committed to the sport past 2021, and Renault. Those commitments mean that nine current F1 teams will be fine–four use Mercedes engines, three are with Ferrari, and two have contracts with Renault.
Courtesy: Rallystar
At least for now, in a lurch are two teams powered by Honda engines–Red Bull Racing, and its sister team, Alpha Tauri (formally known as Toro Rosso).
So now what? For the Red Bull squad, it’s a touchy situation. Ferrari could be the answer because the two companies have had a relationship in the past. Mercedes is the more complicated option because it would seem odd to race with its main rival’s powerplant engines.
Another option would be a new engine supplier entering the sport. Porsche has been here before, and Audi is a possibility, too. The problem is that both companies are more interested in Formula E. Peugeot and Toyota are possibilities as well, but French and Japanese manufactures are committed to the World Endurance Championship.
That means its likely to be a long year-and-a-half for Red Bull. What comes next is no minor matter.
