Yuki Tsunoda’s longstanding relationship with Honda, which began in 2016, has played a critical role in his advancement to the senior Red Bull Racing team for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Honda’s influence on the deal was significant, with the Japanese manufacturer reportedly offering Red Bull a discount on F1 engines to support Tsunoda’s mid-season promotion. This strategic concession helped ensure Tsunoda’s place at Milton Keynes for the remainder of the year.
The collaboration between Honda and Red Bull started in 2019, during which Tsunoda competed under both brands in junior racing categories. After proving his skillset, Tsunoda was elevated to Formula 1 with the Faenza-based AlphaTauri squad, intended as a testing ground for his potential in top-tier motorsport.
Over his rookie campaign, Tsunoda faced several challenges but managed to secure his seat and gradually emerged as the lead driver following Pierre Gasly’s exit to Alpine in 2023. Tsunoda outperformed his teammates convincingly, yet was initially overlooked in favor of Liam Lawson for the senior Red Bull seat at the start of 2025. This decision was reversed just two races into the season, signaling confidence in the Japanese driver.
The timing of the promotion aligned closely with the Japanese Grand Prix, Tsunoda’s home race, further symbolizing Honda’s impact on the move. According to reports from ESPN, Honda’s financial flexibility provided Red Bull with the ability to facilitate this upgrade without undermining their engine supply arrangements.
This adjustment guarantees Tsunoda’s continuation with Red Bull Racing through the 2025 campaign, cementing his role at one of Formula 1’s top teams.
Challenges during the season and Tsunoda’s determination to improve post-summer break
Despite outperforming his predecessor Liam Lawson, Tsunoda’s momentum was hindered by a slump in points scoring that stalled early in the season. His last points finish came at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where he secured 10th place after an unsatisfactory qualifying session. Since then, he has been unable to add to his points tally.
Nonetheless, Tsunoda has managed to narrow the performance gap to Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s benchmark driver. Reflecting on the season so far and his plans after the summer break, Tsunoda remarked:
“Looking back on the season so far, I can feel pretty positive, we’ve made progress, especially since the new floor upgrades were brought to Spa. The gap with Max continues to close, it may not feel like we are getting there but on paper we are only one tenth off his pace. I’m not sure many other drivers could get as close to him.”
“I am heading straight to the factory tomorrow to go into the [simulator]. We need to investigate where we went wrong and put in some hard work over the summer break so that we don’t start the next half of the season how we finished this one. It’s frustrating but we will stay positive and bounce back stronger.”
By mid-2025, Tsunoda has accumulated 10 points, three of which were earned during his earlier tenure with Racing Bulls. His performance thus far showcases promise and resilience as he looks to strengthen his position in the fiercely competitive F1 environment.
The significance of Tsunoda’s secured seat for the future of Honda and Red Bull
Securing Yuki Tsunoda’s seat at Red Bull Racing for the rest of the 2025 season not only demonstrates Honda’s strategically significant role behind the scenes but also highlights Red Bull’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent from their junior ranks. Tsunoda’s rise affirms the powerful synergy between manufacturer support and driver development within Formula 1.
This arrangement is likely to bolster Tsunoda’s confidence and allow him to focus on consistent performance improvements. The tie-up also reflects Honda’s ongoing influence in top-tier motorsport, despite its official withdrawal as a full works supplier in recent years, by leveraging partnerships and targeted incentives.
Looking ahead, Tsunoda’s full season with Red Bull could serve as a crucial platform for establishing himself as a long-term contender in Formula 1, while reinforcing Honda’s legacy in F1 engine development. With the summer break providing a moment for reflection and adjustments, both Tsunoda and his team aim to translate potential into stronger race results in the upcoming rounds.
