Yuki Tsunoda has claimed it wouldn’t “make sense” should his ties to Honda be the reason that he continues to be overlooked for a seat at Red Bull’s Formula 1 team.
Tsunoda has missed out on a much-coveted move up to Red Bull as the team has opted to promote RB team-mate Liam Lawson to replace the dropped Sergio Perez.
The Japanese racer’s latest omission comes despite him having driven the RB20 in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, where he insisted that he “impressed” Red Bull.
Red Bull, though, is believed to remain sceptical about whether Tsunoda is consistent enough and possesses the temperament to survive up against Max Verstappen.
However, it has been touted that Tsunoda’s relationship with Honda, which has supplied engines to Red Bull since 2019, is also behind its hesitation to give him a shot.
Honda will cut ties with Red Bull once the upcoming campaign concludes as it prepares to tackle the sport’s impending regulation overhaul with Aston Martin in 2026.
Asked whether he was worried Honda’s situation could impact him, Tsunoda told Motorsport Week: “I don’t think I’d ever consider the Honda situation, to be honest.
“Because they have a contract with me beyond 2026. But also, it’s a contract that they can decide whenever, whatever time each year, I think.
“I don’t think the reason that they don’t want to put me in the Red Bull or whatever is not really considered by the Honda things with Aston, to be honest, in my perspective.
“Otherwise, it doesn’t really make sense. So, yeah, I don’t think so.”
Tsunoda insists he merits Red Bull shot
Tsunoda has been unwavering in the stance that he merits a chance with Red Bull having emerged as RB’s standout driver in 2024, scoring 30 of the team’s 46 points.
His phenomenal start to 2024 earned him an extension with the Faenza-based squad and prompted Daniel Ricciardo, billed as Red Bull’s insurance option, to be axed.
Lawson, who made five substitute outings in 2023, replaced Ricciardo and has been selected to take Perez’s spot, despite Tsunoda having an edge in their short spell.
“I mean, to my team-mate it’s quite clear, my current team-mate,” he replied when questioned on whether he had done enough to warrant a Red Bull seat.
“And also quite clear, compared to what I’ve done this year, it’s quite clear that I should get a chance.
“It’s Formula 1, one of the political sports as well, and anything can happen.
“But I don’t know, it’s up to them. For me, I feel like every race so far has been a very important race.
“Because starting the first race, if I didn’t beat Daniel [Ricciardo]… I’m sitting on the sofa right now, so I don’t know.”
Tsunoda’s Red Bull contact limited
Tsunoda admitted that his contact with Red Bull’s top brass is limited, though he did reveal that boss Christian Horner told him he was on his radar earlier this season.
“I mean, first of all, we didn’t see much [of each other], because the paddock is quite wide,” he explained.
“But I don’t think so, I don’t know, because I met Christian, and he said, ‘I’m keeping an eye on you, so you don’t forget’, or something like that, I guess.
“So I don’t think I’ll necessarily get blocked by them, which I hope. I don’t know what they’re feeling inside their heart, but that’s what I think.”
Pressed on whether Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has been more supportive towards him than Horner, Tsunoda responded: “I don’t know.”
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