Red Bull Racing has agreed a new technical arrangement with Honda that allows the team to continue using legacy Honda power units for Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programmes, ensuring uninterrupted development activity as the 2026 Formula 1 season unfolds under new technical regulations.
The agreement enables both Red Bull Racing and sister team Racing Bulls to run older-specification cars powered by Honda engines despite the conclusion of their full works partnership at the end of the 2025 season. Under FIA sporting rules, TPC running is restricted to machinery that is at least two years old, making access to compatible previous-generation power units essential for teams seeking additional track time beyond current-car testing limits.
Honda powered Red Bull between 2019 and 2025, supporting a period of sustained competitive success for the Milton Keynes-based team. As Red Bull transitions to its new in-house engine programme developed with Ford through Red Bull Powertrains, the continuation of Honda support provides a practical bridge that allows legacy chassis programmes to remain operational.
The timing of the agreement is particularly significant as the 2026 season progresses, with Red Bull working to optimise performance under Formula 1’s revised power unit and aerodynamic regulations. After the opening rounds of the championship, the team sits sixth in the constructors’ standings with 16 points, reflecting an early adjustment period relative to recent seasons. While the RB22 has demonstrated competitive straight-line speed, the car has encountered balance and downforce challenges that have affected performance across technical sections of the circuit.
Meanwhile, Racing Bulls has delivered stable midfield results, showing encouraging car balance in technical sectors. The comparative performance trend suggests that current challenges are linked more to aerodynamic characteristics than solely to power unit output.
TPC programmes have become increasingly valuable as Formula 1 places tighter restrictions on testing with current-spec cars. These sessions allow teams to provide additional mileage for reserve drivers, improve simulator correlation and refine operational processes without breaching cost cap limitations.
With Honda now operating as Aston Martin’s works power unit partner in the 2026 season, the arrangement underscores the ongoing technical relationship between the organisations. For Red Bull, the agreement provides continuity in testing operations during a season shaped by major regulatory changes.
