Tsunoda’s Red Bull Dream at Risk as Honda Shifts Focus

Honda supports Tsunoda’s Red Bull aspirations, yet looming changes in partnerships could limit his future opportunities within the F1 powerhouse.

Honda has admitted to pressuring Red Bull to give Yuki Tsunoda a test drive in the RB20.

Currently, it’s Tsunoda’s new teammate at the junior RB F1 team, Liam Lawson, who appears to be the frontrunner to replace Sergio Perez next year… if the Mexican were to be sidelined, which he still does not anticipate.

But even as Honda shifts its support to Aston Martin from 2026, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe has expressed his desire for Tsunoda to at least have a test run in a Red Bull.

“We believe Tsunoda has the potential to be promoted to Red Bull, so we requested a proper evaluation with a test drive in a Red Bull as soon as possible,” Watanabe confirms.

“Red Bull told us they are considering this opportunity.”

Indeed, Dr. Helmut Marko says it might happen during the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi.

And yesterday in Mexico, Tsunoda confirmed that “it’s quite possible,” though he remains cautious.

“We’re talking about Red Bull Racing, so you can’t be sure of these things until they happen. For now, I’m focused on my work.”

However, Red Bull is thought to hesitate in seriously considering the 24-year-old driver, given that his main backer—Honda—is moving to Aston Martin F1 for 2026 and beyond.

Watanabe admits that the joint Red Bull-Honda driver development programs will soon be discontinued.

“After discussions with Helmut Marko, we decided that Red Bull and Honda will end their joint driver training program in 2024. This is because if we continue together in 2025, Red Bull and Honda will no longer be partners in F1 by 2026.”

This could also jeopardize Ayumu Iwasa’s prospects for an RB F1 seat in the future.

“Although our joint project is ending, Iwasa has both options,” Watanabe insists. “If Red Bull says they need him, he can still drive for a Red Bull team, and if Aston Martin says they need him, he can join Aston Martin.”

Watanabe states that Tsunoda is in the same position.

“While Tsunoda is a product of Honda’s development team, he is no longer a development driver, so he can race wherever he can make the most of his opportunities—whether it’s with Honda or Red Bull.”

“Just because he comes from Honda’s development program doesn’t mean he can’t drive for a Red Bull team after 2026, and we won’t stand in his way.”