In 2019, Honda began its joint venture with Red Bull and, together with Toro Rosso, supplied power units (PUs) to both teams (four cars) for the first time in its fourth F1 era. This was a significant expansion for Honda in terms of manufacturing, logistics, and trackside operations. Red Bull, which had won four rounds in the previous year, was the top team in the race for the title, and Honda, which had not won a race so far in its fourth F1 era, felt the pressure.

The RA619H introduced in this critical season was, after all, an enhancement of the previous year’s PU. Honda supplied the engine for the season-opener with a high-speed combustion mechanism more advanced than the previous year’s RA618H Spec 3, and output was increased to make it more competitive. Reliability of the internal combustion engine (ICE) also needed to be improved to a higher level to cope with the increased output from the high-speed combustion, and durability of the cylinder heads, pistons, and connecting rods, main parts of the ICE, was reinforced. In the opening round of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified fourth and finished on the podium in third place. Honda’s first podium in its fourth F1 era came quickly, a good sign for the PU’s evolution.

Honda then introduced the “Spec 2” at Round 4, Azerbaijan. The main purpose of this specification was to improve endurance and reliability, but this improvement also enabled Honda to increase the power. In Round 8, France, Honda introduced the “Spec 3,” which featured a more efficient and wider-range compressor, to further improve performance.

The updates, however, could not produce the expected results, due to the heat wave that hit Europe during the French GP, and had to wait until the next round in Austria. With the high elevation of Austria and the engineers’ efforts to rapidly improve hot climate performance, Verstappen’s long-awaited first win in Honda’s fourth F1 era of Honda F1 was realized. Toyoharu Tanabe, Honda’s F1 technical director, took the podium on behalf of the team. This was Red Bull’s way of showing respect for Honda’s efforts.

Verstappen took his second win in rainy Round 11in Germany, and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat finished third, earning Toro Rosso Honda its first podium finish, and Honda’s first double podium in its fourth F1 era.

With the confidence that came with victory, Honda kept up the pace to work on further improving the performance of the RA619H. In Round 13, Belgium, held after the summer break, Honda introduced the “Spec 4,” a new version with improved durability and reliability, aiming for an even greater leap in competitiveness.

The highlight of the season for Honda came in Round 20, Brazil, where Verstappen led the race in the second half, followed by teammate Alexander Albon, and Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly in third, a 1-2-3 for Honda PUs. Albon dropped out in the final laps, but Verstappen won followed by Gasly, the first 1-2 finish for Honda since 1991. This day, November 17, coincidentally, was the birthday of Honda’s founder, Soichiro Honda.

In the 2019 season, Verstappen won three rounds and finished third in the drivers’ standings. Red Bull also finished third in the constructors’ standings. Toro Rosso moved up three spots to sixth compared to 2018, making 2019 a breakthrough year for Honda in its fifth year of its fourth F1 era.