Horner responds to worrying Honda claim about new F1 engine

Christian Horner has soothed concerns Honda has raised about its 2026 F1 engine project after admitting it is struggling.

For 2026, the power units are set to feature beefed-up electrical systems, the removal of the MGU-H and the implementation of fully sustainable fuels in the biggest shake-up since the turbo hybrids were introduced in 2014.

Honda partnered with Red Bull in 2019 after a year spent with Toro Rosso, with the partnership culminating in Max Verstappen winning the '21 drivers' title, before Honda withdrew.

It quietly re-entered F1 the next year, but in a position not as visible with Red Bull, who has been running units under the Red Bull Powertrains arm - although the units are Hondas. 

For 2026, Red Bull is running its own in-house units with Honda set to partner with Aston Martin. 

Responding to claims of Honda's struggling, Horner defended the Japanese manufacturer.

"It is a big challenge, I mean they disbanded their project and then restarted it again," Horner told media when asked by RacingNews365 if Honda were sandbagging amid reports of its engine programme being behind the curve.

"They may well have lost a little bit of time through that, but they're a very capable company and they've got great strength.

"I am sure they'll have a competitive power unit come 2026."

As for Red Bull's own in-house project for which Ford is serving as a technical partner, Horner described the "big challenge."

"You always want more time, but it is a big challenge for us, producing our own engine from scratch, a start-up company, but we're doing well.

"Of course, you never know what your opponents are doing, it is a big challenge, but for us, it is the right move."