Red Bull reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda has yet to finalize a new contract with Honda ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Although Tsunoda remains with Red Bull, his role has shifted following the promotion of Isack Hadjar as Max Verstappen’s teammate, leaving Tsunoda in a secondary position amid ongoing contract discussions with Honda, his long-term supporter.
End of Honda’s Partnership with Red Bull and New Alliances
At the conclusion of last season, Honda ended its technical collaboration with Red Bull, shifting its support to Aston Martin for 2026. Meanwhile, Red Bull has entered into a fresh partnership with Ford for the upcoming season. Despite these changes, Tsunoda continues his association with Red Bull, although he has not secured a formal contract extension with Honda following the transition of Honda’s manufacturing backing.
Red Bull and its sister team, Racing Bulls, are set to unveil their 2026 Formula 1 liveries at a Ford event in Detroit, highlighting the technical transition now underway.
Honda’s Negotiations Over Tsunoda’s Contract Remain Unresolved
Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, confirmed that discussions involving Tsunoda’s contract are still in progress and no agreement has been finalized. These negotiations do not involve Tsunoda directly but rather occur between Honda and Red Bull as the teams navigate the complexities brought by the new Ford partnership.
Watanabe emphasized that Honda has no objections to Tsunoda remaining linked to Red Bull despite the arrival of Ford as a technical partner. He explained,
“Regarding this year’s contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are ongoing so no specific agreement has been finalised yet.”
“This will be discussed in future talks. From Honda’s perspective, there’s no problem. The crucial point is how Ford, or rather Red Bull, views the situation. Depending on the terms Red Bull proposes, the scope within which Honda can utilise Tsunoda will change… I believe that scenario is possible.”
The negotiations are not with Tsunoda himself, but with Red Bull.
?Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation
Tsunoda’s Response to Contract Uncertainty After Demotion
Following the announcement of his demotion ahead of the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi, Tsunoda expressed gratitude for Honda’s ongoing support, while acknowledging the uncertain direction for the future. He stated,
“I appreciate their support over the years and let’s see how it goes in the future. I appreciate a lot their support and a lot of people as well.”
Next year is going to be a different direction we’re going to take, but I’ll still be around and I guess we’ll see how we can collaborate with each other.
?Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Reserve Driver
Tsunoda is widely expected to pursue a full-time Formula 1 seat in 2027, aiming to return after a year in a reserve capacity. During the summer of 2024, Haas was mentioned as a potential destination, although Red Bull showed interest in retaining him.
Potential Challenges for Tsunoda’s Return in 2027
Haas recently formalized a technical partnership with Toyota, a rival to Honda, possibly complicating any future arrangement involving Tsunoda, who is affiliated with Honda. Ayao Komatsu, Haas’ Tokyo-born team principal, did not entirely dismiss the possibility of recruiting Tsunoda but highlighted the team’s priority on the 2026 season under new regulations.
When asked about signing Tsunoda, Komatsu responded,
“I can’t comment on his future. Obviously he’s not our driver.”
He added,
“2027? I think we have to focus on ’26 with our drivers and with brand-new regulations. I think most of the drivers knew that, obviously, as they wanted to see how ’26 pans out and they wanted to pick a better team for ’27.”
“That’s why the driver market is going to be so open for ’27. So to put ourselves in a better position, our best position, the important thing is we’ve got to have a competitive ’26 season. That’s our focus.”
This season, Haas will field Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, who finished with just three points separating them in the 2025 championship.
Implications for Tsunoda and the Wider F1 Landscape
The unresolved status of Yuki Tsunoda’s Honda contract reflects broader shifts within Formula 1’s manufacturer partnerships and driver market dynamics. Honda’s departure from Red Bull underscores a significant reshuffling as teams realign with new engine suppliers like Ford and Toyota, directly impacting driver careers and team strategies.
Tsunoda’s situation highlights the challenges faced by drivers caught between shifting manufacturer allegiances and team priorities, especially when roles shift from race seats to reserve status. His pursuit of a full-time return in 2027 will depend on contract resolutions, team interest, and the evolving competitive landscape under the sport’s new regulations.
