![Max Verstappen has been praised by Honda president Koji Watanabe [front, third from right]](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Max-Verstappen-Honda-Red-Bull.webp)
Max Verstappen has been compared to Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna by Honda, amid the Japanese marque’s “sad moment” of parting ways with the Red Bull driver.
Honda’s relationship with the Milton Keynes-based squad formally ended at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as the brand makes a full-scale return to F1 with Aston Martin.
After seven years of using Honda power, Red Bull’s powertrains division is producing its first in-house power unit for 2026, in collaboration with American giants Ford.
Honda will now reunite with former Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey, who has pencilled its AMR26 and will also become its Team Principal for this season.
But with the switch fully in place, its president, Koji Watanabe shared his gratitude to Verstappen for his role in the successful partnership, that yielded four Drivers’ Championships and two Constructors’ Championships.
“We have always shared the same goal: to reach the top,” he was quoted as saying by FormulaPassion.
“I am incredibly grateful to have been able to work with such an exceptional driver, someone who treated our team with honesty and respect. It’s something we really appreciate about him. And it’s also why our collaboration worked so well.
“Abu Dhabi was a very emotional weekend after seven years of working together. On the one hand, we are looking forward to starting our new adventures, but of course it is also a bit of a sad moment.”
When Honda enjoyed its successful partnership with McLaren in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Senna won all three of his championships, giving him cult status in Japan.
Watanabe stated that the Dutchman is now enjoying a similar popularity as Senna, recognised as a figure who is significant and loved in his affiliation to Honda.
“Max is incredibly popular in Japan,” he said. “People now associate him with Honda, just like in Senna’s day. He has meant a lot to our company.
“His attitude and trust in our engineers have always been motivating. Max will always be in our hearts.”
READ MORE – Alex Palou delivers takedown of McLaren F1 drivers with Max Verstappen title claim
Discussion about this post