Honda admits the decision on their participation in Formula 1 post-2020 won’t solely be based on their Red Bull partnership.
Like every team and supplier on the grid, the Japanese manufacturer is following the negotiations regarding 2021 very closely, with a full proposal revealed by owner’s Liberty Media on Tuesday.
And though changes to the engine regulations are expected to be fairly limited, the longer-term direction of F1 is a matter of interest for Honda to consider.
“This year will be very important for Honda to think about how we can commit after 2020 with Formula 1,” their F1 chief Masashi Yamamoto told Motorsport.com.
“We think we have to judge the overall situation and one [factor] is about the 2021 regulations and also the business and marketing around F1.
“The last thing is the result we can make with Red Bull but we cannot just decide from one thing.”
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The current situation at Honda is improving, however, with strong performance gains made over the past year enabling them to score a podium in their first race with Red Bull thanks to Max Verstappen in Australia.
But that is just another step forward towards the company’s ultimate goal.
“As Honda, when we participate in any category of motorsport, our aim is to win,” Yamamoto continued.
“Before we started with Red Bull, I explained the details to the management how we’re going to reach that. Then we convinced the upper management.
“So now the company’s feeling, and the people here, have the same direction towards winning.”