Honda has insisted there is “not much more we can do” for Yuki Tsunoda, as Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko indicated that 2025 will be decisive in his Formula 1 career.
Tsunoda is embarking on his fifth season with Red Bull’s satellite squad – now titled Racing Bulls – having been overlooked to partner Max Verstappen at the parent team.
The Japanese driver hoped that beating the more established Daniel Ricciardo and a debut Red Bull outing in the post-season test would secure him a coveted promotion.
But his recent omission has seen Red Bull boss Christian Horner concede that the group might have to consider releasing him with Arvid Lindblad emerging in the pipeline.
Marko has implied that Tsunoda’s continued presence at Racing Bulls will depend on how he stacks up against rookie team-mate Isack Hadjar over the upcoming campaign.
“He has to show it himself,” Marko told Motorsport.com. “He has a young, fast team-mate next to him and it’s his own future, you know, so he has to motivate himself.
“If he is doing well, then there is a future. If not, then maybe there’s no more chance in F1 for him.”
Liam Lawson was picked to replace the ousted Sergio Perez at Red Bull, despite Tsunoda boasting the edge in their six-race spell as team-mates in the previous season.
Marko has highlighted that it was Lawson’s mental resilience that earned him the gig amid Red Bull’s unwavering scepticism surrounding Tsunoda’s emotional control.
“The decision was mainly a question of mental strength,” Marko said. “Around Mexico, Yuki unfortunately had his two accidents, and at the time Liam did very well.
“So it was more or less looking at all the facts for us [and then at the reasons] why we have chosen Liam.”
Tsunoda urged to not be reliant on Honda
In the circumstance where he cuts ties with Red Bull, Tsunoda has been linked with Aston Martin due to the team’s impending engine partnership with Honda from 2026.
Tsunoda’s relationship with the Japanese marque pre-dates his period in F1, although it has been disclosed that the brand’s backing is not as prominent as it once was.
“Tsunoda has a sponsorship agreement with us,” Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said.
“He is fundamentally an independent driver, but we support him as a sponsor.”
Watanabe has urged Tsunoda to take his career into his own hands, which coincides with the recent news that the Racing Bulls driver has altered his management team.
“He needs to take action himself,” he added. “He’s now in his fifth year, has the ability, and understands the world of F1 well.
“There’s not much more we can do for him. Drivers can’t rely on Honda forever. Someone of Tsunoda’s career level needs to think for himself.”
READ MORE – Yuki Tsunoda: Racing Bulls in weaker position relative to F1 rivals in 2025
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