IndyCar and Honda have confirmed a multi-year contract extension, with the Japanese manufacturer being retained as an engine supplier to the series.
Honda started supplying engines to teams in the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1994 and has been powering cars in the IndyCar series since 2003, winning 217 races and 10 manufacturers’ championships.
"We're grateful for Honda's longstanding partnership with INDYCAR the last 13 years," Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent company of IndyCar, said.
"Racing is a part of Honda's DNA and its continued investment in the Verizon IndyCar Series – technically on the competition side, but also through sponsoring of events and additional activation – is instrumental to the success and continued growth of our sport."
Miles told reporters at the IndyCar media day that the deal is for two years, with the option to extend that for a further three years through to 2020.
Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development, added: "In the 13 years that Honda has been a part of INDYCAR, we've had a great deal of success, both against strong competition from other auto manufacturers and as single engine supplier.
“Honda is pleased to be part of the Verizon IndyCar Series, as it provides both a technical challenge for our associates and a showcase for Honda products worldwide.”
Honda and Chevrolet will compete to be the best engine supplier for a fifth consecutive season, producing 2.2 litre, twin-turbo V6 engines. From last year onwards both have also provided developed aerodynamic bodywork kits for teams.
Alongside being an engine supplier, Honda will also be the title sponsor for three rounds of the 2016 IndyCar season: April’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and July’s Honda Indy Toronto and Honda Indy 200.
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