F1: Red Bull announce two-year engine deal with Honda

Red Bull’s 12-season partnership with engine provider Renault will end this year after the Formula 1 team announced a new deal with Honda.

Starting in 2019 the two-year contract will see Red Bull and Honda link up until the end of the current engine regulations. Red Bull and its stablemate Toro Rosso will run “identical specification power units”, says F1.com, and the team will continue to race under the full name of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.

Team principal Christian Horner said: “We have been impressed by Honda’s commitment to F1, by the rapid steps they have made in recent times with our sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso, and by the scope of their ambition, which matches our own.

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“This multi-year agreement with Honda signals the start of an exciting new phase in Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s efforts to compete not just for Grand Prix wins but for what is always our goal – championship titles.”

Red Bull’s 12 seasons with Renault saw 57 grand prix victories and four successive drivers’ and constructors’ championship doubles from 2010 to 2013.

In 2019 Renault will supply two teams - its works operation and McLaren. In a statement Renault Sport said: “Renault Sport Racing acknowledges the Red Bull Racing and Honda partnership announcement. Two years after Renault’s return as a works team, we consider this is a natural evolution for both Renault and Red Bull Racing in view of their respective aspirations.

“In an extremely demanding and competitive environment we are proud of the extraordinary results achieved with Red Bull Racing over the past 12 seasons, in particular, the four drivers’ and constructors’ world championships and 57 wins we have taken together.

“After two seasons, we are fully focused on the strong progression of Renault Sport Formula One Team, while continuing to foster the fresh relationship with McLaren Racing.”