How Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda counters rumours of a possible future with Honda partner Aston Martin and how he sees his chances with Red Bull
If Honda moves from Red Bull to Aston Martin for the 2026 Formula One season, will Yuki Tsunoda go with them? Such is the subject of speculation ahead of the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix at Losail. Tsunoda himself, however, wishes above all that this does not paint a false picture of him.
He says: “The most important thing for me is that there is no misunderstanding with Red Bull. For example: that I could now focus on Aston Martin or something like that. I am with AlphaTauri and have been driving [in the Red Bull squad] since I was 18. So my focus is on performing for Red Bull, not on Aston Martin.”
Tsunoda goes on to say that he would like a future in the Red Bull universe. Specifically, he envisions the second Red Bull cockpit alongside Max Verstappen when he explains, “Hopefully, they will really think seriously about me. But if I do well as a driver, then hopefully I’ll be high on the list.”
“If that wasn’t the case, I should understand. But if I’m performing, then I’d like it if there was a bit of a swap [in the Red Bull squad].”
But given that, might Tsunoda’s impending switch from sponsor Honda to Aston Martin have a negative impact on Tsunoda’s future prospects? “If that were the case, I certainly wouldn’t be happy about it,” Tsunoda says.
“I don’t know what talks are going on [between Red Bull and Honda], with Honda still providing the powertrains. But I guess Honda’s perspective is as long as I am successful and as long as a Japanese driver can be successful, Honda doesn’t care where I go. “
Tsunoda: Where I ride doesn’t matter to Honda
Honda is all about having a successful Japanese driver in Formula One, Tsunoda says. “Of course it would be a godsend if we could work together and be successful together, but the bottom line is that Honda doesn’t care. And that’s what I really like about this company. That’s why I think: Honda’s concentration is not on Aston Martin or whatever at all.”
“Honda’s focus is on one driver, Yuki Tsunoda, and supporting him to make me a successful driver.”
And at least in 2024, nothing will change in Tsunoda’s starting position in F1: he will continue to drive for AlphaTauri next season after his contract was extended for another year. What happens after that is open: Theoretically, the second Red Bull seat could become free for 2025 because Sergio Perez is only tied to the team there until 2024 inclusive.
