Honda Racing Global, Red Bull’s engine supplier, have cut Christian Horner out of one of their Instagram posts.
Tensions between Honda Racing Global and the Red Bull Racing Team have seemingly taken a public turn after Honda’s Instagram farewell post to Sergio Perez conspicuously cropped out Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
The post, meant to honor Perez as he departs Red Bull at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season, featured an image of Checo, reigning world champion Max Verstappen, and Honda’s president Koji Watanabe standing alongside the Red Bull RB20 car.
Notably missing from the photo, however, was Horner, who had originally stood next to Perez in the uncropped version of the image.
Whilst some fans have speculated that the cropping decision was an innocent attempt to fit the key parts of the photo within Instagram’s aspect ratio requirements, others see it as a deliberate slight, reflective of the strained relationship between Honda and Red Bull in recent months.
The omission has fueled rumors of growing animosity, particularly as Honda prepares to end its partnership with Red Bull at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
A cropped image or a calculated move?
The Instagram post in question was a tribute to Perez, captioned with heartfelt thanks for his contributions to Red Bull and the Honda-powered car’s success.
The image’s layout prominently featured Perez, Verstappen, and Watanabe stood behind the car on the left hand side of the image, with the Honda logo visible on the car on the right hand side.
The original uncropped version of the photo includes Horner stood to the left of Perez. If the intention was to keep Checo and the Honda logo both in the image, whilst keeping the portrait image format, then the crop makes sense.
The crop wasn’t just limited to their Instagram account. The Japanese Honda Racing account posted another version of the image with the text in a different place, but once again cropped Horner out.
Some speculated that the purpose of the post was to thank Perez for his time, so perhaps Horner wasn’t necessary to convey Honda’s message.
But so blatantly removing Horner, the Red Bull boss, from the left side of the image has left many wondering if it’s a veiled message related to ever-increasing tensions between the two entities, rather than just a careless crop.
Brewing tensions between Honda and Red Bull
The relationship between Honda and Red Bull has been a rollercoaster since their partnership began in 2019. While the collaboration yielded immense success, including multiple Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, recent developments have cast a shadow over their dynamic.
Honda announced in late 2022 that they would part ways with Red Bull at the end of 2025 to pursue a new partnership with Aston Martin. This announcement marked the beginning of a cooling period between the two entities.
The situation was further exacerbated during Red Bull’s search for a replacement for Perez. Honda has long been a staunch supporter and sponsor of Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, who has been driving for Red Bull’s sister teams AlphaTauri and now RB since 2021.
Tsunoda has consistently delivered solid performances and outperformed his teammates, leading many to believe he was the frontrunner for Perez’s seat.
However, Red Bull ultimately chose Liam Lawson who has only completed 11 F1 races, a decision that reportedly did not sit well with Honda.
The perception that Horner and Red Bull’s management overlooked Tsunoda due to Honda’s impending departure has fueled speculation about the deteriorating relationship.
Even thought Honda posted this image on their social media before the official announcement about Lawson taking the Red Bull seat was made, there’s no doubt that they would have already known their driver Tsunoda wasn’t the one receiving the promotion.
The fan reaction
Honda’s Instagram post quickly became a lightning rod for fan commentary. Some dismissed the cropping as a mere oversight, noting that the photo’s composition—with Perez, Watanabe, and the Honda logo centered—might have dictated the edit.
Others were less charitable, accusing Honda of intentionally sidelining Horner as a symbolic gesture of their dissatisfaction.
“Honda cropping out Horner feels way too pointed to be accidental,” one Twitter user wrote. “There’s no way they didn’t realize he was missing from the final version.”
“It’s probably just about framing the Honda branding with Perez and Koji Watanabe,” countered another fan. “But given the recent drama, it’s hard not to see it as shade.”
What are you thoughts? A social media oversight, or a calculated cropping of the Red Bull boss?
Even if it wasn’t intentional. Honda should sever ties with Horner because that decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda is ridiculous and everyone knows it. Further to that Red Bull / Horner clearly had their ambitions for their own Power Unit Division Horner has no concept of loyalty he is all about what floats his boat at the time. Which idiot in their right mind would consider DR to return to the team after his many failures elsewhere and leaving RB.
Honda should not give any more support whatsoever to Red Bull – ZERO.
Surely RB tested Lawson and Tsunoda and saw who was quicker with 1 set of tires drivers choice. Lawson has set records for team expenses for repairs. He is not a finisher.
They prefer Lawson for his communication skills and they feel he has more upside than Yuki. This is all well and good but surely you would give Lawson more time in the junior car and Tsunoda the opportunity he has earned.