Honda 'sad' as Max Verstappen F1 partnership comes to an end

Honda president Koji Watanabe has admitted there was a “sad” atmosphere within the team after last season's finale in Abu Dhabi.

It marked the last race in which Red Bull and Honda were associates, as Honda's work continues this year with Aston Martin.

Although it officially exited F1 at the end of 2021, Honda continued to provide technical support to Red Bull through Max Verstappen's title-winning years.

It is returning next year, albeit with Aston Martin, to whom it will supply power units as a fresh era commences under new technical regulations.

But with the partnership between Verstappen and Honda at an end, Watanabe hailed the four-time champion's working relationship with Honda.

“We have always shared the same goal: to reach the top,” Watanabe said, as quoted by FormulaPassion. 

“I am incredibly grateful to have been able to work with such an exceptional driver, someone who treated our team with honesty and respect. It's something we really appreciate about him. And it's also why our collaboration worked so well.

“Abu Dhabi was a very emotional weekend after seven years of working together. On the one hand, we are looking forward to starting our new adventures, but of course it is also a bit of a sad moment.”

Watanabe compared Japan and Honda's admiration for Verstappen to that of the legacy of Ayrton Senna.

“Max is incredibly popular in Japan,” he said. “People now associate him with Honda, just like in Senna's day. He has meant a lot to our company. 

“His attitude and trust in our engineers have always been motivating. Max will always be in our hearts.”