Start, Suzuka, 2018

Honda returns as title sponsor for Japanese Grand Prix

2022 Japanese Grand Prix

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The Japanese Grand Prix will again be sponsored by Honda, which owns the Suzuka circuit where the race takes place.

Honda officially withdrew from Formula 1 as a power unit supplier at the end of last year. However, Red Bull and AlphaTauri continue to use their power units, provided by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).

Honda was previously the title sponsor of the event in 2018. The race was last held in 2019, then was absent from the calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The track was built in 1962 and held its first world championship grand prix 25 years later.

“It is great pleasure for Honda to be named as the title sponsor of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix to be held at the Suzuka Circuit which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year,” said Honda communications operating executive Koji Watanabe.

“In this year’s Japanese Grand Prix, 10 teams including Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri, which Honda supports as a team partner, will compete with 20 drivers who will demonstrate their driving skills and talent at the highest peak in the world of racing.

“By contributing to this outstanding Grand Prix, Honda will continue supporting the further promotion and popularisation of motorsports in Japan.”

The Japanese manufacturer confirmed during 2020 it planned to withdraw from F1 at the end of the following season. Red Bull planned to use a special Honda-themed livery for the race, but following its cancellation the special paintjob was used at the Turkish Grand Prix instead.

Max Verstappen went on to win the world championship, becoming the first Honda-powered driver to do so since Ayrton Senna in 1991.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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8 comments on “Honda returns as title sponsor for Japanese Grand Prix”

  1. Good news.. I guess

  2. To be honest, I dont see any long-term strategy by Honda regarding their F1 involvement.

  3. Well, yeah…
    The first sentence says it all, really.

    Largely irrelevant whether they still have branding on the F1 cars, as their logos will still be seen by millions all over the world anyway.
    And Watanabe-san even says it directly – they are advertising primarily to their home market. Honda is highly respected throughout Japan, and not just for motorsport.

    1. Not to mention those millions of us that are engrained in the sport know that RBR’s engines are still being made by Honda.

  4. Honda and F1 are like an annoying “on-again-off-again” couple from a budget rom-com….

    1. @geemac “they’re on a break!”

    2. Dutchguy (@justarandomdutchguy)
      17th May 2022, 22:45

      They’re like a cat in a doorway. In, out, in, out

      1. @justarandomdutchguy Lol hey nothing wrong with seeing how the weather is at the other end of the house. In this case it seems Honda decided the weather is just fine at RBR.

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