Honda believes in Formula One, at least a bit

Engine manufacturer Honda remains in Formula 1 - for the time being. The racing team Red Bull and the sister team Toro Rosso (from next season under the name Alpha Tauri) continue in the next two years on the Japanese engine partner. The two teams confirmed the continuation of the cooperation. The cars of Toro Rosso drive since 2018 with Honda, Red Bull since this season.

Amazing is the short contract period. A month ago, rightholders Liberty Media and the world motor racing federation Fia set the new rules from the 2021 season, including financial restrictions on the teams. For Honda was important that the engine regulations remained largely untouched, nevertheless, the manufacturer wants to wait and see how the Formula 1 will develop. The 2021 season could thus be a trial year, then to decide on the further commitment.

Red Bull and Honda can be satisfied with the sporting development. Max Verstappen won three races for Red Bull this year with the Honda engine, with Toro Rosso finishing twice on the podium with Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat. The season ends this coming Sunday with the race in Abu Dhabi (14.10 clock live ticker SPIEGEL, TV: RTL and Sky). Verstappen goes into the final heat as overall third, Red Bull is third in the team ranking, Toro Rosso sixth out of a total of ten teams.

Renault and Mercedes are still reluctant

Formula 1 is facing a difficult future. On the one hand, it is about creating more equal opportunity and supporting smaller teams. On the other hand, the manufacturers Mercedes, Renault, Honda and Ferrari continue to drive for the World Cup.

The sporting aspect is especially important to Renault. The French manufacturer returned to Formula One in 2016, but has not been able to significantly reduce the gap to other manufacturers since then. Renault needs successes in order to justify the still expensive after-2020 commitment in Formula 1. The commitment for 2021 is therefore still pending.

So it is with Mercedes, the German series world champion is also waiting. The contract as engine supplier of Williams was extended to 2025, the own factory team, the decision is still pending. This has internal reasons, at Mercedes must be saved, but also jobs are to be reduced. In addition, the ecological aspect comes more into the foreground, Mercedes has now entered the Formula E.