F1 | Honda says goodbye to Verstappen and Red Bull: the end of a historic chapter in F1
The collaboration between Honda, Red Bull, and Max Verstappen officially came to an end following the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, closing a cycle that profoundly shaped recent Formula 1 history. It was a farewell filled with emotion, as acknowledged by Honda President Koji Watanabe, who recounted the atmosphere within the Japanese team at the conclusion of the season.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represented the last opportunity for Red Bull and Honda to work together on track before the Japanese manufacturer shifted direction, supplying its power units to Aston Martin for the next regulatory cycle. Despite Honda’s official exit from Formula 1 at the end of 2021, the brand continued to provide technical support to Red Bull, accompanying Max Verstappen through his most successful years and playing a decisive role in the Dutch driver’s world championship victories. From 2026, with the introduction of new technical regulations, Honda will officially return to Formula 1 as an engine supplier, but this time alongside Aston Martin, opening a completely new chapter in the company’s F1 history.
Watanabe on Max Verstappen’s impact
Speaking about the end of his collaboration with Verstappen, Watanabe highlighted both the human and professional value of the four-time world champion. “We have always shared the same goal: reaching the top,” Watanabe said, as reported by FormulaPassion. “I am incredibly grateful to have worked with such an exceptional driver, a person who has always treated our team with honesty and respect. This is something we truly appreciate about him, and it is also why our collaboration has worked so well.”
The Honda president also shared the emotions experienced during the final weekend of the season: “Abu Dhabi was an incredibly emotional weekend after seven years of working together. On one hand, we are excited to begin new adventures, but naturally, it is also a somewhat sad moment.” Watanabe further compared Verstappen’s impact in Japan and within Honda to that of Ayrton Senna, a figure historically linked to the Japanese brand.
“Max is incredibly popular in Japan,” he explained. “People now associate him with Honda, just like they did with Senna. He has meant a great deal to our company. His attitude and the trust he has consistently placed in our engineers have been a tremendous source of motivation. Max will always remain in our hearts.”
As the 2026 season looms, the parting of ways between Honda and Max Verstappen marks the end of one of the most dominant engine-driver partnerships in modern Grand Prix racing. While Honda prepares to bring its expertise to the ambitious Aston Martin project, the legacy they built with Red Bull serves as a high benchmark for the new technical era. The mutual respect shared between the Japanese engineers and the Dutch champion has cemented Verstappen’s place as a cultural icon in Japan, ensuring that this seven-year journey will be remembered as a golden age for both parties.
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