The Japanese Grand Prix bore witness to a momentous occasion as Yuki Tsunoda, backed by Honda, made his debut for Red Bull, driving at his home circuit in Japan with a car powered by a Japanese engine. The 24-year-old driver’s ties with Honda have been deep-rooted since childhood, with the automaker lending both emotional and financial backing throughout his career. This Grand Prix served as the culmination of this enduring partnership.
Koji Watanabe, Honda’s racing president, offered sage advice to Tsunoda amid his own racing nerves. “I told him to stay calm, but I was anything but calm. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this nervous,” said Watanabe, admitting to his inner turmoil. However, his anxieties were unfounded as Tsunoda displayed grace under pressure, a level of composure that exceeded expectations, especially during the initial qualifying round where he trailed Max Verstappen, the four-time champion, by only a tenth of a second.
Despite an impressive performance in the first round, Tsunoda’s journey hit a snag as he was eliminated in the subsequent round, securing the 15th spot. Liam Lawson, his successor, managed to finish slightly ahead, raising speculations about ongoing challenges with Red Bull’s second driver choices. Nonetheless, Tsunoda redeemed himself with a commendable P12 finish in the main race, a feat that Watanabe deemed “fantastic,” especially given the known handling issues with the RB21 and considering it was Tsunoda’s inaugural Red Bull race.
Anticipation surrounds Tsunoda’s future, with Helmut Marko of Red Bull confirming a longer stint for him this season, unlike Lawson’s brief two-race tenure. Watanabe has high hopes, expressing eagerness to see Tsunoda clinch a podium finish. Despite Honda’s impending exit from Red Bull, there’s speculation about Tsunoda’s career post-2025, with opportunities possibly opening at Aston Martin. Watanabe suggests Tsunoda’s potential move might happen without pressure from Honda, underlining their ongoing sponsor relationship rather than an exclusive driver contract.
On the topic of Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull, Watanabe, maintaining confidence in Tsunoda’s talents, assured that his collaboration with Honda allows flexibility. “Tsunoda is not a Honda driver, but is basically an independent driver. On top of that, Honda has a sponsorship contract with Tsunoda,” clarified Watanabe. This strategic positioning highlights an avenue should Red Bull decide not to extend Tsunoda’s time with them beyond 2025.
Nevertheless, Tsunoda’s debut performance appears to have strongly impressed Red Bull’s management. Helmut Marko praised the driver’s abilities, noting, “He lost out by qualifying, he made a mistake in Turn 1, but in all the other sessions he was pretty near 2 to 3 tenths of a mark, so that’s what we are looking for.”
The landscape ahead for Yuki Tsunoda buzzes with potential. His debut at Red Bull not only demonstrated his racing prowess and adept handling under pressure but also spotlighted the intricate dynamics of ongoing partnerships and future possibilities. The young driver’s journey in Formula 1 remains closely watched, as fans and industry experts alike anticipate his rise and future contributions to the sport.
