Then you didn’t look properly. The Honda logo is quite big:
I thought that Red Bull bought the whole operation and Honda haven’t really been involved at all for the last few years?
No, wrong. Never been the case. Honda builds the engines and owns all intellectual properties. UK facilities (where the hybrid unit was at least partially developed) were about to be closed by Honda and Red Bull took it over. That’s it and that’s why Lawrence Stroll could throw money at Honda to convince them to return.
I’ve had a read and it seems it was the case a bit but then changed again:
On 2 October 2022, Honda announced an agreement for the “re-strengthening” of their partnership with Red Bull Racing and will maintain total oversight of the engines until 2025. Honda’s logo will also reappear on Red Bull Racing’s and AlphaTauri’s car from the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix onwards.
That was basically a branding deal after the idiots at Honda acted only as fully paid contractor. That’s why the 2022 engine was called Red Bull RBPTH001 and the only reference to Honda is the H in the model number.
Then you didn’t look properly. The Honda logo is quite big:
No, wrong. Never been the case. Honda builds the engines and owns all intellectual properties. UK facilities (where the hybrid unit was at least partially developed) were about to be closed by Honda and Red Bull took it over. That’s it and that’s why Lawrence Stroll could throw money at Honda to convince them to return.
I’ve had a read and it seems it was the case a bit but then changed again:
That was basically a branding deal after the idiots at Honda acted only as fully paid contractor. That’s why the 2022 engine was called Red Bull RBPTH001 and the only reference to Honda is the H in the model number.