Honda emphasizes that Yuki Tsunoda’s future in Formula One with Red Bull lies solely in his hands – focus on new partnership with Aston Martin
Yuki Tsunoda has received a long-awaited promotion to Red Bull’s main team for the Japanese Grand Prix. This gives him the chance, but also the pressure, to prove that he can get closer to Max Verstappen than his predecessor. He cannot count on the support of Honda.
But the Japanese brand will work with Aston Martin for the 2026 season. “Our partnership with Red Bull ends this year, so we have no leverage to put pressure on Red Bull in terms of 2026,” says Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, with an eye to Tsunoda’s future.
“He earned his promotion to Red Bull through his performance, so he has to continue to prove that he can stay there. The most important thing is his own will – since he wants to continue with Red Bull, we have no reason to interfere.”
Honda had no influence on driver change
Tsunoda’s future with the Austrian brand initially seemed uncertain as he was again not nominated for the Red Bull team in 2025. But then the Milton Keynes-based team made the drastic decision to make an early driver change with the Racing Bulls after Liam Lawson’s performance in the first two Grands Prix of the season fell short of expectations.
Although Tsunoda comes from Honda’s junior program, Watanabe makes it clear that they had no influence whatsoever on the decision to make the driver change: “We don’t know when or how Red Bull makes its decisions, so we always communicate that they should choose the best driver.”
“I have very good communication with Christian Horner, and we are constantly discussing not only personnel decisions but also support structures at the track. In this case, we did not take any special measures.”
Tsunoda wants to enjoy home race in Red Bull
Tsunoda’s first race weekend with Red Bull coincides with his and Honda’s home Grand Prix in Suzuka – a situation he describes as ideal despite the potential added pressure. “This is the ultimate situation,” Tsunoda said.
“With the change of cockpit, there is of course pressure from Red Bull, and Honda also has high expectations for its home race. It’s a rare and unique moment when multiple challenges and pressures converge – and I think it’s the best kind of situation. I don’t know if I’ll ever experience anything like it again, so I just want to enjoy it.”
