Honda initally wanted to take 2019 off

Following Red Bull’s switch from Renault to Honda as their engine supplier, it is possible Honda may have been looking to take some time out of Formula One instead of jumping straight back in with Red Bull after their split with McLaren.

This is the view of writer Erik Houben who appeared on the F1 Race Reporter podcast. Houben is one of three writers who wrote the book, F1 2018: The Fifth of Lewis’ and in it, the book explores how the relationship between Honda and Red Bull came about.

"Olav talked about this to Helmut Marko," says Houben to presenter Patrick Moeke.

"He literally described that he went to Japan to make a deal for Red Bull for next year. What emerges is how different things work in Japan and how they convince them to enter into cooperation. Honda actually wanted to take a sabbatical.

“He said that sometimes you also have to tell the Japanese the truth very clearly. He did the same when they said, "Well, Mr Marko, we're going to take a sabbatical." Marko then wondered if they had gone mad and then explained why they should not. "