Honda predicts that Tsunoda's future for 2026 will be revealed 'soon.'

      Yuki Tsunoda's future will become evident "very quickly" this season, according to the head of Honda's Formula 1 operations. Currently, Tsunoda is in his fifth year with Red Bull's junior F1 team, having been passed over for the chance to be Max Verstappen's new partner. Many speculate that one reason for Red Bull Racing's decision is the termination of their partnership with Honda at the end of this year. The Japanese automaker is now focused on developing its brand-new 2026 engine solely for Aston Martin.

      "We are aiming for homologation in February 2026," Tetsushi Kakuda, Honda's F1 project leader, was quoted as saying by Ouest-France this week. "Since we started a bit late, we want to push things to the very last moment. It’s hard to specify the exact percentage of progress we’ve made, but I think we’ve reached a significant milestone."

      There are those who believe it is quite unlikely that Tsunoda will stay with the soon-to-be non-Honda affiliated Red Bull organization beyond 2025, and that Honda may encourage the 24-year-old Japanese driver to transition to Aston Martin. However, Aston Martin has downplayed those speculations, emphasizing that both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are already under contract for 2026.

      "When asked about Tsunoda, Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, stated this week, "He’s in his fifth year in F1 and has gained a lot of experience, so I hope he can make the right decision. I believe this is a very significant season, and the seating for next year will likely be determined quickly, so I hope he can capitalize on this timing and opportunity to advance. I believe he is capable of doing so." He continued, "But above all, I want them all to achieve the best results this season."