Honda regret the end of their partnership with Verstappen.

      In 2026 Honda became the exclusive supplier to the Aston Martin team, and the long period of cooperation with Red Bull — during which Max Verstappen claimed numerous victories in cars powered by engines built by Japanese engine-makers — came to an end.

      Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, the group's racing division, admitted that it was something to be regretted.

      “We always shared a common goal — to reach the top,” Watanabe told FormulaPassion. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with this exceptional driver, who treated our entire team with sincere respect. We value that quality of his very highly. It is partly for that reason that our collaboration was so successful.

      On the weekend in Abu Dhabi last December we experienced strong emotions after seven years of working together. On the one hand we are looking to the future, because a new and interesting project is beginning; on the other, of course, it was also a somewhat sad moment.

      Max is incredibly popular in Japan. People now associate him with Honda — something similar was once the case with Ayrton Senna. Working with this driver means a great deal to our company. His commitment to the job and the trust he showed in our engineers motivated everyone, and Max will remain forever in our hearts.”

      From 2026 both Red Bull teams will use power units developed by Red Bull Powertrains, the outfit’s own engine-building division, with technical support from Ford.