Honda Power Unit Partnership

Lore & Background

The RB21 is the first Red Bull Racing car since the RB2 to be designed under the leadership of Technical Director Pierre Waché, who oversaw both the design and production process. The car followed the WDC-winning RB20. Red Bull had a turbulent season: the car was initially off the pace of the pace-setting McLaren MCL39. While Verstappen remained competitive, the second seat fared much worse, with Lawson initially holding the seat until China, after which he was demoted back to Racing Bulls and replaced by Tsunoda. Persistent issues with the car, coupled with the underperformance of Tsunoda, resulted in Red Bull struggling to maintain their early-season form. Verstappen brought himself back into contention for the Drivers' Championship after winning several key Grands Prix, but ultimately the title fight went down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Milton Keynes factory that winter hummed with a different frequency. It wasn't just the roar of dyno runs; it was the electric tension of a gamble finally paying off. On the main screen, telemetry from Suzuka flickered—peak boost pressures that had eluded the team for years were now holding steady. In the corner, Max Verstappen leaned over the lead powertrain engineer's shoulder, his eyes dissecting the data with a quiet, predatory intensity. 'It feels like it wants to go faster,' he murmured, barely audible over the whine of the machinery. The Honda badge on the engine cover was no longer just a logo; it was a promise fulfilled. As the season opener approached, the mood shifted from hope to certainty. They knew this wasn't another year of chasing shadows. It was the dawn of an era where the only question left was how many times they could break the tape.

Reader's Guide

The RB21 achieved eight wins, fifteen podiums, eight pole positions, and three fastest laps in Grands Prix, plus two sprint wins, all with Verstappen. Two mid-season upgrades for the car were introduced: first a package at Imola, and the second at Monza. The livery was unveiled at the F1 75 event at The O2 Arena on 18 February 2025. At the Japanese Grand Prix, the RB21 featured a variation of the White Bull design used at the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, commemorating the final year of their partnership with Honda. At the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, both cars were run with numbers in the style of the 2005-2013 Red Bull cars to commemorate their 400th Grand Prix.

Did You Know?

• The RB21 is the last Red Bull Racing car to be powered by Honda RBPT-badged engines.
• From the 2026 season, Red Bull and its sister team Racing Bulls have utilised Red Bull Powertrains Ford engines.
• The RB21 was the first Red Bull Racing car since the RB2 to be designed under the leadership of Pierre Waché rather than Adrian Newey.