The future of Japanese Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda remains unclear as talks with Red Bull Racing continue into 2024. The 22-year-old driver faces the challenge of securing a full-time seat for the upcoming seasons after being removed from his position as a primary driver alongside Max Verstappen before the 2026 campaign. His future in the sport now hangs in the balance amid these critical negotiations.
Performance Challenges and Team Dynamics Impacting Tsunoda’s Standing
Tsunoda’s performance in the 2025 season fell short of expectations, amassing just 30 points compared to Verstappen’s 421 points. This wide gulf in results has placed considerable pressure on the young driver within the highly competitive Red Bull environment, where delivering consistently strong results is paramount. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson, despite also struggling, has retained his role in Red Bull’s junior Racing Bulls team, which adds further complexity to Tsunoda’s uncertain status.
With Tsunoda now positioned as a reserve driver rather than a main racer, his prospects for substantial track time in the near future appear limited. This demotion also raises questions about the depth of his support from Honda, which has closely backed him since his debut in 2016 through the Formula Dream Project. Honda’s strategic realignment toward Aston Martin and the introduction of new power units in 2026 contribute additional uncertainty to his career trajectory.
Honda’s Perspective and Ongoing Contract Negotiations
Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, has confirmed that negotiations regarding Tsunoda’s contract for the upcoming season are still underway. He emphasized that no final agreement has been made, and the situation remains fluid.
“Regarding this year’s contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are ongoing, so no specific agreement has been finalized yet. This will be discussed in future talks,”
Watanabe noted that the core issue revolves around assessments made by Ford and Red Bull rather than Tsunoda himself. The direction Honda takes regarding Tsunoda hinges on how these stakeholders evaluate and value his role moving forward.
Uncertain Role Within Honda’s Plans and Formula 1 Programs
Although Honda still regards Tsunoda as part of their broader driver lineup, Watanabe indicated there are currently no firm plans to place their young drivers into reserve roles like Tsunoda’s current position. Coordination with Aston Martin’s programs is expected to continue, but no active agreements have been reached to define Tsunoda’s immediate involvement moving forward.
“I expect we will continue to coordinate various programs with Aston Martin, but at this point, there is nothing we have agreed upon that says, ‘Let’s do this right now’,”
These comments suggest an ongoing assessment period, with future decisions yet to be finalized as negotiations develop.
The High Stakes Ahead for Tsunoda’s Racing Career
Yuki Tsunoda’s situation highlights the intense pressures and uncertainties that young drivers face in Formula 1. As a driver linked strongly to Honda and entwined in Red Bull’s plans, his next steps will be shaped by these high-stakes negotiations. The outcomes could redefine his presence in the sport, determining whether he will find renewed opportunity or face an uphill battle to maintain his Formula 1 career. Motorsport followers now watch closely as this critical phase unfolds.
