Red Bull to race with special Honda tribute liveries at Turkish Grand Prix

Lando Norris opens up on mental health struggles in F1 career

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Red Bull have announced they will pay a special tribute to Honda at this week’s Turkish Grand Prix, by using special liveries in recognition of the engine manufacturer who are leaving Formula One at the end of the season.

Red Bull will also be joined by Alpha Tauri in commemorating Honda, in what was supposed to be the engine supplier’s home Grand Prix with the Japanese GP originally scheduled to be taking place.

The race at Suzuka International Racing Course was cancelled earlier this summer by Formula One, due to the ongoing problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic meaning the event in Istanbul took its place instead.

Despite Honda losing their home race, the two teams are still opting to go ahead with their tribute despite being just under 9,000km away from the Japanese manufacturer’s home track.

In a video on their Twitter page, Red Bull revealed that their design for the race would be predominantly white in salute to the the RA 272 car that Richie Ginther drove in in 1965 to secure Honda’s first ever F1 victory win.

DON’T MISS: Mercedes make Turkish Grand Prix vow in Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen battle

Red Bull team boss Christain Horner had his say on the tribute  admitting that despite the race being moved from Suzuka, recognising Honda was still more than necessary at this week’s race.

He said: “We had all been looking forward to giving Honda’s Japanese fans a chance to celebrate our extremely successful relationship in Formula 1, on home soil at Suzuka. 

“With the race falling victim to the pandemic, we just couldn’t let the weekend pass without paying tribute to Honda and its amazing home fans by bringing a little bit of its heritage to Istanbul.”

DON’T MISS
Red Bull boss Christian Horner disagrees with Sir Jackie Stewart
Red Bull doubted Honda’s Max Verstappen call
Hamilton will need Bottas more than ever if Mercedes gamble in Turkey

Horner then also went on to comment that the aim in Istanbul would be of course to deliver yet another win in these ‘famous colours’.

He added: “The livery chosen for our cars pays homage to Honda’s remarkable F1 journey and hopefully we can give fans another victory in those legendary colours this weekend.”

AlphaTauri have also showed off their new design ahead of the Grand Prix in Turkey, revealing that the word ‘arigato’ – which translates to ‘thank you in Japanese’ – will feature on their rear wings.

Honda’s departure from F1 will end a five-year partnership with AlphaTauri and a four-year one with Red Bull.

Honda have helped Red Bull return to contention with Max Verstappen well in the hunt to deliver the four-time constructors’ champions their first title in eight years.

Verstappen heads into this week’s Turkish Grand Prix just two points behind leader Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ standings thanks to seven wins and 11 podium finishes so far this season.

The 24-year-old’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez finds himself three places behind the Dutchman in fifth, with one win and two podiums this campaign.

Follow our new Daily Express Sport Instagram page here

Source: Read Full Article