Tsunoda assesses future F1 options as long-time backers Honda get set for Aston Martin tie-up

Yuki Tsunoda has been reflecting on what his future in Formula 1 could look like as Honda – who have supported the Japanese driver from an early stage in his motorsport career – prepare to move away from the Red Bull family to partner with Aston Martin from 2026 onwards.

After making his F1 debut with the then-named AlphaTauri in 2021, Tsunoda is now into his fourth season in the sport with the squad now known as RB. While his plans beyond the current campaign have yet to be decided, team boss Laurent Mekies has praised him for making “big steps” so far in 2024.

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Honda CEO Koji Watanabe recently said that the engine manufacturer hope to “keep an eye” on Tsunoda, even when they split from Red Bull to link up with Aston Martin. The 24-year-old graduated from the Honda Racing School in 2016 and has since received the support of the company on his journey to Formula 1.

Given that the possibility of a seat becoming available at Aston Martin in 2025 looks slim following Fernando Alonso’s recent contract renewal, Tsunoda admits that the chances of him continuing to work with Honda in the future would most likely depend on a vacancy appearing at the squad in 2026.

Reflecting on Honda’s words of support for him, Tsunoda commented: “Very happy to hear what they said. I’ve been working with them since a very young age. I [have been] able to achieve what they wanted me to do – [I] became a Formula 1 driver [with] Honda. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here.

“We have a special relationship between us, and I love their people, [they are] super supportive. But at the same time, the driver market stuff, it’s a bit [of a] different story.

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"In the end, we need an available seat for Aston Martin if they’re keen to support me from 2026 onwards, which means a high chance that they want me to be in the Aston Martin, but we need a seat to be available, otherwise there’s no chance.”

Should this not occur, Tsunoda is hopeful that he can still work with Honda again in some capacity down the line.

“[We’ll] see how it goes. In that case if a seat [at Aston Martin] is not available I have to think about different solutions, either stay in Red Bull, which would be nice, [or] another solution,” he explained.

“In that case, even if we [are] apart with different manufacturers, still there will always be Honda, in my head and for sure at some point we will reconnect [with] each other in the future, whatever it is.”

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As several seats on the grid are still unconfirmed for 2025, talk around the driver market looks set to continue, with RB amongst the teams yet to finalise their line-up for next season.