The 2026 Formula 1 season sees Aston Martin enter a partnership with Honda, but it’s not only the Silverstone-based team that could bear the fruits of this new venture.
As Red Bull’s decorated alliance with Honda comes to an end, it is ironic that a driver within that team could be the one who capitalises on the Japanese marque’s switch.
Yuki Tsunoda has struggled since making the step up to Red Bull mid-season, with a single points finish in the last 10 Grands Prix leaving him in a precarious position.
This, combined with the excellent form from rookie Isack Hadjar, leaves Tsunoda on the verge of an entirely unsurprising exit from the Red Bull fold after four seasons.
With current Formula 2 prospect Arvid Lindblad also looking likely to be promoted to Racing Bulls for 2026,
the remaining eight races of 2025 look to be a straight shootout between Tsunoda and Liam Lawson to partner Lindblad next season.
And as Lawson begins to rediscover his form after his demoralising demotion, Tsunoda’s continued struggles alongside Verstappen may ultimately cost him his spot.
However, Honda’s unwavering support might be able to provide Tsunoda with the much-needed opening he requires to still salvage a position in the sport longer term.
Backed by the brand
When Lawson was axed, it wasn’t only the logical choice to promote the more experienced Tsunoda to the senior squad, it also came at a financial benefit to Red Bull.
According to reports, Tsunoda’s move to Red Bull in time for his home Grand Prix at Suzuka also witnessed it receive a discount on the side’s power units from Honda.
The Japanese brand has long provided support to Tsunoda throughout his junior career, including co-funding his time at Red Bull’s junior setup before his 2025 promotion.
It would be unsurprising, then, if conversations aren’t being held about the possibility of Tsunoda making the move to the Aston Martin team with the new partnership.
Aston Martin won’t need such financial aid with billionaire Lawrence Stroll overseeing the show, but Tsunoda could be a valuable asset the team wishes not to pass up.
As Lance Stroll continues to be a hit-and-miss driver, now in his ninth season, Tsunoda would surely be a marked improvement on the Canadian to partner Fernando Alonso.
However, the President of the Honda Racing Corporation, Koji Watanabe, has urged that Tsunoda can’t be reliant on Honda to keep his career afloat.
“He needs to take action himself. He’s now in his fifth year, has the ability, and understands the world of F1 well,” he addressed.
“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.”
And if that’s the case, perhaps Tsunoda needs to start looking elsewhere to pursue a continuation in a role above being a reserve in 2026.
Tsunoda’s options are dwindling
As the 2025 season enters its final stretch, the opportunities to be on the grid in 2026 are being tied up and other possible routes onto the grid away from Red Bull are dwindling fast.
While there might be a chance at Aston Martin given its new Honda deal, it seems unlikely to be anything other than a reserve driver to begin with.
Despite being the oldest driver on the grid, Alonso is committed to 2026 and the exciting prospect of an Adrian Newey-designed challenger, so looks to be going nowhere.
And it feels incredibly unlikely that Lawrence Stroll will allow son, Lance, to be sidelined in his own team, especially given Tsunoda’s underperformance across 2025.
If nothing is to come straight away with Aston Martin and Honda, Tsunoda may have to brave his own path to gain a seat on the grid going forward.
With the doors now shut at F1’s newest team in Cadillac, the last real opportunity might lie at the doors of the struggling Alpine outfit, which is yet to decide who will partner Pierre Gasly for 2026 onwards.
Franco Colapinto will continue with Alpine until the end of the season, with Flavio Briatore revealing that Alpine will have made its decision by November.
F2 driver Paul Aron is also among the pool of drivers being assessed for 2026, having already made two FP1 appearances for Alpine in 2025.
Meanwhile, Tsunoda will surely also be among the candidates, with his strong relationship with Gasly seeing him be touted as a potential solution to the team’s second driver woes.
READ MORE – The Adrian Newey conundrum Aston Martin has endured in 2025
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