The Austrian Formula 1 team pays tribute to engine manufacturer Honda before the Grand Prix at Istanbul.
Only two points separate challenger Max Verstappen in the Formula 1 World Championship from defending champion Lewis Hamilton. This weekend, the pendulum in Istanbul should swing again for Red Bull and the Dutchman.
But the race is also marked by a farewell. Red Bull's engine supplier Honda will withdraw at the end of the season. The team in Honda's homeland, Japan, wanted to thank them for the successful collaboration. But the Grand Prix in Suzuka was canceled due to the corona-related uncertainties. Turkey stepped in.
A title battle for the ages # F1 pic.twitter.com/p39JTysCJz
– Formula 1 (@ F1) October 6, 2021
With the start of the new season, Red Bull will further develop the Honda engine itself with a specially created department. A new era will begin, and that without the proper farewell – at least that is the feeling in the camp of the Austrian team based in England.
“I really enjoyed driving the Japanese Grand Prix, so it's a shame we won't have it,” said Verstappen in a team broadcast. “Working with Honda was so much fun. Every race you are super motivated and full of passion to always deliver the best possible result. “
13 joint victories
The partnership began at the start of the 2019 season and has brought Red Bull Racing 13 victories to date – the first incidentally in 2019 at the Austrian race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. AlphaTauri achieved a remarkable home win by Pierre Gasly in Monza last year. Together, Red Bull and Honda have achieved a total of 35 podiums, with Verstappen taking pole position eleven times.
As a tribute to Honda and the Japanese fans, Red Bull and AlphaTauri will each be on the road in Istanbul with a special paint scheme. Verstappen and his Mexican team-mate Sergio Perez will drive a car painted in white and red, reminiscent of the Honda RA 272, in which US driver Richie Ginther achieved Honda's first Formula 1 victory in Mexico in 1965. The AlphaTauri cars, on the other hand, drive with the thank you formula “Arigato” on the rear – in Japanese characters and also in white and red, which also corresponds to the colors of the Japanese flag.
