Honda has claimed that it is prepared to continue supporting Yuki Tsunoda’s career in Formula 1 past the marque’s partnership with the Red Bull teams through 2025.
The Japanese manufacturer had communicated a desire to exit F1 but reversed that decision and will be a supplier to Aston Martin upon a regulation change in 2026.
Therefore, Honda will no longer be aligned with Tsunoda from a performance standpoint, with the RB driver having graduated to F1 in 2021 through the brand’s support.
But with Tsunoda having said that he desires to secure a promotion to the senior Red Bull squad, Honda has addressed that it hopes its protege can achieve that goal.
“I think it’s a very beautiful story that Tsunoda would first play an active role at RB and then be promoted to Red Bull,” Honda Racing CEO Koji Watanabe told Autosport.
“Even if it’s after we’re gone, we would like to keep a close eye on him rising to the top teams.
“Tsunoda has graduated from the Honda Racing school, so that’s why from the HRC point of view it’s our dream that HRC students can become top drivers.
“So, it’s really important that Yuki becomes a top driver in Formula 1.”
Tsunoda has been touted as a viable long-term fit at Aston Martin, with the Silverstone squad’s CEO Martin Whitmarsh admitting that he must be under consideration.
But Fernando Alonso penned a multi-term extension last month, while Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack stated talks with Lance Stroll would commence soon.
“We still don’t know what Aston Martin’s line-up will be like,” Watanabe added. “Alonso has been confirmed, but I have not yet heard that Stroll has been confirmed.
“I don’t think there is a zero chance of that happening, so I think there is a possibility of that happening at this point.”
However, Watanabe said that it would not be “difficult” to retain ties with Tsunoda despite the powertrain supplier splitting ties with Red Bull at the end of next season.
Asked whether it would be awkward to remain associated with Tsunoda once its relationship with Aston Martin begins, Watanabe said: “That’s not necessarily difficult.
“We have to decide about this and we have to see what the situation is then. But we can support Yuki to become a top driver, yes.”
Pressed on the chances of Tsunoda representing a Honda customer team, Watanabe concluded: “There may be other possibilities in the future, but right now we don’t have any other plans. At this point, we are not yet at the stage where we are expanding our customer team.”
