Honda Expresses 'Sadness' as Verstappen Partnership Concludes

Honda president Koji Watanabe has admitted to a "sad" atmosphere within the company following the conclusion of its hugely successful partnership with Max Verstappen and Red Bull. After powering the Dutchman to four consecutive World Championships, the collaboration officially ended after last season's finale in Abu Dhabi. Watanabe hailed the unique relationship, built on mutual respect and a shared ambition to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

Why it matters:

The end of the Honda-Verstappen alliance closes one of the most dominant chapters in modern Formula 1 history. This partnership was instrumental in transforming Red Bull from a race-winning team into an undisputed powerhouse, breaking Mercedes' long-standing hegemony. As F1 heads into a new regulatory era in 2026, the dissolution of this formidable duo signals a significant power shift and sets the stage for a new competitive order.

The details:

• While Honda officially exited F1 at the end of 2021, it continued providing crucial technical support to Red Bull, enabling Verstappen's title wins in 2022 and 2023.
• Watanabe lauded Verstappen's character, stating they "shared the same goal" and expressing gratitude for working with a driver who treated the team with "honesty and respect."
• He highlighted Verstappen's immense popularity in Japan, comparing the public's association of him with Honda to the legendary legacy of Ayrton Senna.
• The Honda president emphasized that Verstappen's "attitude and trust in our engineers have always been motivating" for the entire team.

What's next:

Honda is not leaving Formula 1 for good. The manufacturer is set to return as a full works power unit supplier to Aston Martin in 2026, when new technical regulations come into effect. This presents a fresh challenge and a new opportunity for Honda to build another championship-contending partnership, this time with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. The key question will be whether they can replicate the unique magic and synergy they found with Verstappen and Red Bull.