Honda has powered Verstappen to all three of his world championships up to now, with the Dutchman the overwhelming favorite so as to add a fourth straight title this yr.
The Japanese marque has additionally clinched two constructors’ championships with Crimson Bull, the end result of an initially troubled F1 return with McLaren in 2015.
Verstappen’s relationship with Honda is about to finish in 2026, when it should grow to be the works accomplice of Aston Martin.
Honda initially determined to withdraw from F1 by the tip of 2021, however by the point it walked again on that call Crimson Bull had already pressed forward with its in-house Crimson Bull Powertrains division in Milton Keynes, which is engaged on its first bespoke energy items for the 2026 guidelines period.
Barring a U-turn of his personal, Verstappen is contracted to Crimson Bull till the tip of the 2028 season.
Chatting with Motorsport.com in a uncommon interview, Honda Racing Company president Koji Watanabe stated he was unhappy to see Honda’s relationship with Verstappen nearing the tip however hoped they might at some point be reunited.
“I don’t suppose that day will come inside a really quick time period, but when each proceed their Method 1 actions sooner or later then we hope that we will work collectively once more at some point,” stated Watanabe.
“It’s a excellent relationship. We belief one another and likewise the Honda employees love Max. We’re proud to work along with Max, so we are going to miss him sooner or later.
“However we nonetheless have two years collectively and we promise to do our greatest to win one other world championship along with Max and Crimson Bull.
“He’s so vital. He’s the primary Method 1 driver now. In fact, the staff administration is vital and the equipment is vital as properly, however the mixture is essential and one vital piece of that’s Max.”
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
Watanabe stated Verstappen’s victory within the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, the primary win of the Crimson Bull Honda period and Honda’s first F1 win in 13 years, is his finest reminiscence of the producer’s Crimson Bull partnership.
On the rostrum, Verstappen went out of his approach to embody Honda within the celebrations, a gesture which the proud Japanese firm has not forgotten.
“My largest reminiscence is him pointing on the Honda brand on the rostrum in Austria on the Crimson Bull Ring,” Watanabe stated.
“I used to be there, that was a really particular second for me. I used to be standing below the rostrum and that day was so particular.
“He at all times thinks about Honda and says ‘thanks, Honda’ lots. He expresses his ideas to the surface world about Honda, which can be vital for all of the individuals working for Honda.”
With Verstappen steadily hinting at an F1 retirement as soon as his present Crimson Bull deal involves an finish, possibilities of a reunification seem distant.
It might solely be potential if the 26-year-old determined to make a shock transfer to Aston Martin, the place proprietor Lawrence Stroll is making an attempt to create a ‘superteam’ that may emulate Crimson Bull’s successes.
Along with signing Honda, Stroll has poached a number of key Crimson Bull engineers and it’s believed he has additionally made an method to Crimson Bull design guru Adrian Newey in latest weeks.
Towards the backdrop of Crimson Bull’s divisive energy struggles, Verstappen leaving earlier than his 2028 deal runs out remains to be a chance, with Mercedes one other occasion within the Dutchman’s companies.
