The Future of Tsunoda Darkens at Red Bull... and Also at Aston Martin

The professional trajectory of Yuki Tsunoda has been linked to Honda long before arriving in Formula 1, at the beginning of his time in single-seater competitions. In fact, the Japanese driver has never really belonged to Red Bull's young talent program.

Tsunoda entered the plans of the Austrian brand when it partnered with Honda in 2018, becoming one of the candidates to reach Formula 1 through Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) and Red Bull Racing.

“Someone of Tsunoda's professional level needs to think for himself”

After just over four seasons in the junior team, Yuki Tsunoda finally had the opportunity to prove he deserved a spot in the main team, replacing Liam Lawson from the Japanese Grand Prix (the third of the championship).

However, Tsunoda has failed at the same point as his predecessors, suffering significantly in comparison to Max Verstappen and putting his future in Formula 1 in serious jeopardy.

Honda Will Not Help Tsunoda

So much so that, in addition to the confidence of Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda has lost that of Honda, the brand that supported him since 2016. This year, the Japanese firm is ending its collaboration with the two teams of the Austrian brand to officially begin its exclusive partnership with Aston Martin.

In the past, Honda already hinted that suggesting the British team sign Tsunoda if he had no place at Red Bull was a real possibility. However, everything has changed after a 2025 championship in which the Japanese has barely scored 12 points, nine of them with Red Bull Racing.

This has been confirmed by the president of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), Koji Watanabe, clarifying that from now on Tsunoda's professional trajectory will depend solely on himself and not on Honda.

“He needs to take action for himself. Now he is in his fifth year, he has the skill and understands the world of F1 well. There is not much more we can do for him. Drivers cannot rely on Honda forever. Someone of Tsunoda's professional level needs to think for himself,” the Japanese executive assured.

Tsunoda's Options for 2026

If he does not continue at Red Bull next year, Tsunoda's options are reduced to Alpine, as the doors of Racing Bulls will likely be closed for promoting Arvin Lindblad to Formula 1.

Unfortunately for the Japanese, he also does not have great options at Alpine at this time. Although Pierre Gasly is a great support for him at Enstone —since they both maintain a strong friendship from their time together at AlphaTauri—, Flavio Briatore's plan A remains Franco Colapinto.

The executive advisor of Alpine is also considering alternatives like Alex Dunne, Felipe Drugovich, and Zhou Guanyu. If the Argentine is ultimately discarded, Tsunoda may play the experience card and having proven more than the rest, in addition to having remained active continuously. In any case, Honda will no longer be behind to support him.

Fuente: Motorsportweek.comFotos: Red Bull Content Pool