Most manufacturers support Formula 1’s future direction with engines despite Honda leaving after 2021, outgoing CEO Chase Carey claims.
Last month, the Japanese brand shocked F1 by announcing they would withdraw from F1 just seven years after returning in 2015 to focus on their plans to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
That decision caused a shockwave, particularly at Red Bull who are currently having to work on alternatives, though do favour essentially continuing with Honda by buying the intellectual property and producing the engines themselves.
But while Carey admits to some concerns, he does think Honda’s departure is Honda-specific.
“I think that was, from my perspective, largely driven by challenges, economic challenges, at the overall Honda entity, and for the auto industry in general,” he said via MotorsportWeek.
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“I think Honda is clearly is living and struggling with those challenges. I think that was the core issue.
“There’s no question there is economics around the engine that we’re going to address but I think Honda felt those pressure existed today and they had to make some decisions.”
Right now, F1 is set to introduce an all-new engine in 2026, which may be an evolution of the current power unit it’s been suggested, while synthetic fuels are expected to be used from 2023.
And with talks on that engine ongoing, Carey is enthused by the apparent interest.
“I think on the flip side we actually are getting increasing support, and not just from the players that are in the sport, the OEMs that are in the sport, but OEMs that aren’t,” he continued.
“They’re actually incredibly enthusiastic about our sustainability future, where we’re going with the next-generation engines.
“I think as we continue to put more information out there about our next-generation engines and sustainability goals we’re actually getting increasing support and interest from both existing partners and potential new partners about the importance of that to their future.”