Uncertainty clouds Yuki Tsunoda Honda contract status, as ongoing discussions between Honda and Red Bull-Ford have yet to produce a clear outcome for the Japanese Formula 1 driver. The delay in finalizing Tsunoda’s future arises as Honda adjusts its F1 involvement, and Red Bull continues with its new powertrain partnership with Ford.
Path from Honda Junior to F1 Reserve Role
Yuki Tsunoda’s career has been closely intertwined with Honda since he launched his single-seater journey in 2016 under the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP). Quickly achieving success, Tsunoda secured the 2018 Japanese F4 championship title and progressed swiftly through European racing, including a top-three finish in F2 with Carlin after a year in F3. In 2019, Honda’s F1 partnership with Red Bull helped Tsunoda land a place in the Red Bull Junior Team, which paved the way for his Formula 1 debut at AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2021. After four years with the Faenza-based team, he reportedly received a promotion to Red Bull’s main squad for the 2025 season, replacing Liam Lawson, but his performance did not secure him a permanent seat, leaving him relegated to a reserve role for 2026.
Red Bull-Ford Partnership Influences Driver Arrangements
The F1 landscape is shifting, as Red Bull transitions to its independent powertrain collaboration with Ford for 2026, while Honda will power only Aston Martin. Despite this strategic change, Honda continues to view Tsunoda and fellow HFDP graduate Ayumu Iwasa as integral “Honda drivers.” Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, commented at the Tokyo Auto Salon about these connections. However, Tsunoda’s assignment as Red Bull-Ford’s reserve driver complicates matters, muddying the waters regarding his contractual and racing opportunities.
“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,”
Watanabe stated—Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing Corporation President.
Watanabe further explained how Tsunoda’s future depends not just on Honda, but also on how Red Bull and Ford interpret their arrangements. The ongoing contractual deliberations highlight that Red Bull, rather than Tsunoda directly, sits at the negotiating table with Honda.
“The negotiations are not with Tsunoda himself, but with Red Bull.”
—Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing Corporation President.
Honda’s Evolving Driver Development and Relationship with Aston Martin
Honda has dedicated itself to nurturing a new wave of racing talent through its HFDP, but the structure of its partnership with Aston Martin will not echo the integrated arrangements Honda once had with Red Bull. Aston Martin now runs its separate development program, with prospects such as Mari Boya, an F3 standout set for F2, and F1 Academy driver Mathilda Paatz. Recent graduates like Jak Crawford have advanced from this system.
Meanwhile, Honda continues to groom its own emerging drivers, including Taito Kato, who claimed the 2024 French F4 title and aims for F3 next season after a solid performance in the Formula Regional European Championship.
“There are no such plans as yet”
regarding a Red Bull-like arrangement with Aston Martin, Watanabe clarified—Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing Corporation President.
“I expect we will continue to coordinate various programmes with Aston Martin, but at this point there is nothing we have agreed upon that says, ‘Let’s do this right now’.”
“Therefore, at this point, we will continue to nurture drivers up to F2 within the HFDP, Honda’s own programme, and if any drivers emerge who are capable of driving in F1, we will recommend them to Aston Martin.”
—Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing Corporation President.
What Lies Ahead for Tsunoda and Honda’s F1 Pipeline
The uncertainty in Yuki Tsunoda Honda contract status signals a complicated period for Japanese drivers aspiring to secure top F1 roles, especially as Red Bull and Honda move in different strategic directions. While Tsunoda’s future hangs in the balance pending further talks, both Honda and Aston Martin will likely continue investing in junior talent such as Taito Kato and Ayumu Iwasa, focusing on preparing the next generation for Formula 1 while collaborative structures between teams remain unsettled. The coming months should offer more clarity as negotiations progress and each stakeholder clarifies their vision for driver development.
