Although Honda will be departing F1 at the end of the season, managing director Masashi Yamamoto admits he has mixed feelings about the prospect of Red Bull and AlphaTauri having success next season in re-badged power units. News of the Japanese engine supplier's departure has been known for quite some time, but nevertheless they look to have provided both teams with a competitive unit following strong performances in pre-season testing and the first race in Bahrain. Red Bull will continue to run and develop the power units after setting up Red Bull Powertrains, and Yamamoto admitted to Formula1.com that the process remains tough for Honda nonetheless. “We have [decided] the overall direction with Red Bull and we are now in the phase of sorting out the details of how Honda can support the programme from next year onwards," Yamamoto said. "We’re still working that part out. “Personally I’m really glad that at least from next year they have something that we have made. As Honda, we like to support Red Bull with what we can to give them a competitive power unit that means they can fight for championships. If we can give it to them then that would be really great. “There will not be any Honda branding on the car or the engine, so it will be mixed feelings seeing the car that has a Honda power unit. The heart of the car is a Honda however it’s not really a Honda!”
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