Honda claims Yuki Tsunoda stays one in all its drivers, however his job as a Crimson Bull-Ford reserve driver in Method 1 is likely to be a hindrance.
A product of the Honda Method Dream Undertaking (HFDP) since his single-seater debut in 2016, Tsunoda quickly rose via the junior formulae. He gained the 2018 Japanese F4 championship and spent simply two years in Europe previous to his Method 1 debut in 2021 – one in F3, taking ninth with the unfancied Jenzer squad, and one in F2, the place the Carlin driver completed third within the standings.
Honda’s partnership with Crimson Bull meant Tsunoda joined the Crimson Bull Junior Crew in 2019 and graduated to AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in F1.
The teen spent 4 years with the Faenza-based outfit earlier than a considerably premature promotion to Crimson Bull in April 2025, the place he changed a severely underperforming Liam Lawson however struggled too – to the extent that the 25-year-old is discovering himself on the sidelines for 2026, as a reserve driver.
In the meantime, as F1 implements new engine rules for 2026, Crimson Bull has moved on to its personal in-house powertrain undertaking with Ford, whereas Honda is now supplying its energy items to Aston Martin solely.
The Japanese producer “naturally” regards Tsunoda and fellow former Crimson Bull/Honda junior Ayumu Iwasa as “Honda drivers” and “Honda colleagues” in gentle of their standing as graduates from the HFDP, Honda Racing Company president Koji Watanabe advised Motorsport on the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Nonetheless, Tsunoda’s position as Crimson Bull-Ford’s reserve driver may complicate the scenario.
“Relating to this 12 months’s contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are ongoing, so no particular settlement has been finalised but. This shall be mentioned in future talks,” Watanabe added.
Yuki Tsunoda, Crimson Bull Racing Crew
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
“From Honda’s perspective, there is not any drawback. The essential level is how Ford, or fairly Crimson Bull, views the scenario.
“Relying on the phrases Crimson Bull proposes, the scope inside which Honda can utilise Tsunoda will change… I imagine that situation is feasible.
“The negotiations will not be with Tsunoda himself, however with Crimson Bull.”
Watanabe additionally clarified that Honda’s driver academy wouldn’t be intertwined with Aston Martin’s the way in which it was with the RBJT.
Aston Martin has its personal programme that includes Mari Boya, who’s graduating to F2 after ending third in F3 final 12 months, and Mathilda Paatz, the group’s new F1 Academy racer. Reserve driver Jak Crawford has graduated from the academy.
In the meantime, Honda has a number of children on its books, together with 2024 French F4 champion Taito Kato, who completed seventh within the Method Regional European Championship final 12 months and can race in F3 subsequent 12 months.
“There aren’t any such plans as but” concerning a Crimson Bull-like association with Aston Martin, Watanabe mentioned. “I count on we’ll proceed to coordinate numerous programmes with Aston Martin, however at this level there may be nothing we now have agreed upon that claims, ‘Let’s do that proper now’.
“Subsequently, at this level, we’ll proceed to nurture drivers as much as F2 throughout the HFDP, Honda’s personal programme, and if any drivers emerge who’re able to driving in F1, we’ll suggest them to Aston Martin.”
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