Red Bull and Honda: The Best Decision?

Coming off the back of another disastrous race weekend for the Red Bull Racing F1 team due to poor Renault reliability in Hungary, it is no wonder that the Milton Keynes based team have decided to switch their engine supplier for the 2019 season after a half successful, half disappointing partnership with the French manufacturer. However, is the decision to partner with Honda the best idea?

Renault and Red Bull first partnered up in 2007, and won their first Grand Prix in 2009, when Sebastian Vettel and team mate Mark Webber took a brilliant one two finish in Shanghai. Fast forward to Abu Dhabi in 2010, and Vettel and Red Bull take their first of four consecutive drivers and constructors championships in Formula One, a dominating force and a brilliant partnership it would seem.

Sebastian Vettel takes the win in Abu Dhabi, 2009.

Sebastian Vettel takes the win in Abu Dhabi, 2009.

Then, due to the dramatic engine rule changes to the current hybrid spec V6 Power Units currently being used in 2014, Red Bull went from a top team to being unable to competitively challenge for wins or sometimes even podiums. Daniel Ricciardo took three wins in his rookie year with the team, somewhat lucky they could be called, while team mate Vettel was plagued with bad reliability and failed to win a race for the first time since 2007. It was enough to see Vettel move to Ferrari for 2015.

It was clear the Renault power unit was nowhere for 2014 as was Ferrari, which could be somewhat understandable for such a change in the Power Units. Nevertheless, as Ferrari improved and put their car back relatively where it should be at the sharp end of the grid in 2015, Renault seemed to get worse, with Red Bull only finishing fourth in the Constructors Championship. A result so bad, Red Bull tried to switch engine partners for 2016, but with no avail, they stayed with Renault, agreeing to rename their Power Units with “Tag Heuer” branding from 2016 on. Renault returned as a full-on team in 2016 and seem to be slowly moving up the competitive order and Red Bull are also back to a top team status but the team, especially in the 2017 season and so far this season, the team have been destroyed by constant engine failures with both cars.

Daniel Ricciardo blows up on the finish line, Bahrain 2015.

Daniel Ricciardo blows up on the finish line, Bahrain 2015.

But again, with nobody else to turn to, Red Bull have agreed a partnership with Honda to power their cars for 2019 on. However, is this the best idea for the team to potentially move forward? We know how much of a torrid time the Japanese manufacturer had during their three years with McLaren. A partnership rekindled on the memories of the past turned to nothing but tragedy, as McLaren constantly put pressure on Honda to suddenly deliver which I believe seriously hindered Honda’s ability to move forward properly and the endless public shaming by the drivers (a Spaniard and his radio in Suzuka comes to mind.) and team members only made matters worse within the partnership. This put a strain on Honda’s image within the Paddock. Formula One had become suddenly a very different place than the series Honda left behind due to economic problems in 2008.

McLaren even went as far to claim that their 2016 chassis, the MP4-31, could’ve won races had it not being powered by Honda. My question now is, with a Renault engine themselves, why have you not improved McLaren? Maybe Honda wasn’t all to blame there. Honda lost the McLaren deal as mentioned to Renault for 2018, a deal with Sauber for 2018 seemed to be on, when suddenly new team principal Fredric Vasseur cancelled this deal, fearing a McLaren style season for his new team. They finally found a home with Red Bull’s sister team Toro Rosso and to everyone’s surprise, they are doing quite well for themselves.

Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda STR-13.

Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda STR-13.

Reliability and durability have seemed to improve, as well as overall performance. Sure, it may be not a lot, but you can’t help but notice a clear development within the engine. A P4 finish in Bahrain (A higher finish than any result in the three-year McLaren partnership.) and a P6 finish at the weekend for Pierre Gasly shows that the power unit is competitive. I believe a move to a team where pressure to deliver isn’t so high has allowed Honda to finally move forward and make the positive changes it needs to develop while keeping a good relationship with Toro Rosso.

Red Bull has watched this closely and is part of the reason to move to Honda Power Units for next year. I do honestly believe this is a good idea as reliability wise, they cannot be any worse than Renault. 2019 I believe could be a slow season, but if Red Bull keep calm, work closely with Honda and keep a positive relationship with each other, Honda can take Red Bull and even Toro Rosso quite far. My only worry is given how Red Bull publicly portrayed their feelings about Renault when they failed to perform, they need to remember Honda are still developing and need to roll with any punches that come and ensure the Japanese manufacturer they have the faith in them.

Pierre Gasly celebrates his fourth place finish with his team mates, Bahrain 2018.

Pierre Gasly celebrates his fourth place finish with his team mates, Bahrain 2018.

Of course, this affects many people within the team, such as Daniel Ricciardo, as of course this will be a major factor in whether he decides to stay at Red Bull or take a chance with another team or 2019, or of course Adrian Newey and his design team, who are now facing the challenge of designing a 2019 chassis that is to work in tandem with a new manufacturer, and not one they’ve worked with before. I think it could take time, maybe even a year or two, but if Red Bull keep calm and work hard with their new-found engine supplier, I’m sure Honda can deliver the favour and develop them a proper, maybe even race winning Power Unit that they so desperately crave.