Yuki Tsunoda has admitted he would consider proposals from rival Formula 1 teams in the scenario where Red Bull doesn’t intend to promote him to the senior setup.
Tsunoda has sustained a standout opening to the current campaign, scoring points in all but two rounds to shade his much more fancied team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
RB has continued to build on the momentum from late last season to sit sixth in the Constructors’ Championship and has outraced Aston Martin in the last two races.
However, Red Bull has shown no intent to reward Tsunoda’s more mature showings in recent times with a chance to drive alongside Max Verstappen at the top squad.
Instead, with Ricciardo having failed to impress on a consistent enough basis since his F1 return last term, incumbent Sergio Perez seems set to extend with Red Bull.
But while Tsunoda hasn’t given up hope about replacing the Mexican down the line, the Japanese driver has revealed that he would be open to propositions elsewhere.
When asked to discuss his future prospects and whether he was reviewing outside options last week, Tsunoda said: “Yeah, I mean, so far very happy with the VCARB.
“I mean, now we’re fighting, like, almost… Yeah, sometimes like even P7 or P8.
“So I mean other options… and like probably now the top teams are pretty much taken so… I mean, probably we’re the strongest team in the midfield at least. We’ll see.
“I think, obviously, especially when I’m in Red Bull, you want to always aim for Red Bull.
“But if they don’t want me or they’re not expecting me into the seat, if I’ve got an interesting offer that could be better than even VCARB or Red Bull, I’ll think about it.
“But I also have a big loyalty to Red Bull as without them I wouldn’t be here,” he continued. “And obviously Honda as well.
“And speaking of Honda, maybe Aston Martin, but you know, Aston also, they’re taken by two drivers. So yeah, I mean, it’s pretty open, but so far I’m happy with VCARB.”
Honda’s successful relationship with Red Bull will conclude at the end of next season as the marque gears up to partner with Honda on the new technical regulations.
But the Japanese manufacturer has voiced a desire to extend its long-standing association with Tsunoda, who progressed into the sport in 2021 via Honda’s support.
“Even if it’s after we’re gone, we would like to keep a close eye on him rising to the top teams,” Honda Racing CEO Koji Watanabe told Autosport last month.
“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.”
Asked whether it would be awkward to remain aligned with its protege once its alliance with Aston Martin begins, Watanabe replied: “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.”
Alongside a potential seat with Aston Martin in the long term, Tsunoda is reported to have held discussions with Haas about replacing Sauber-bound Nico Hulkenberg.
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