Honda is looking for Tsunoda to transition to Aston Martin.

      Ongoing support for the Japanese driver

      Honda has expressed its desire for Yuki Tsunoda to transfer to the Aston Martin team next year. The Japanese driver's future was already uncertain, especially with Honda, his sponsor, departing from Red Bull at the end of the year to become Aston Martin’s official engine partner for the 2026 regulations era.

      Starting from the Suzuka race, Tsunoda will take over from the struggling Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing. However, F1 journalist Erik van Haren is skeptical about Tsunoda's long-term prospects with the team. "That seems very, very doubtful at this point," the De Telegraaf journalist remarked. "Especially given Red Bull's long-standing concerns about him as a driver, which have persisted since last year."

      Moreover, the Bild newspaper in Germany reports that Honda is preparing to significantly boost its financial support for Tsunoda from the current 10 million euros annually to facilitate his chance at Red Bull Racing. However, Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, cautions that Honda's support for Red Bull specifically allocated to Tsunoda will cease at the end of this year.

      "Honda has a sponsorship agreement with Tsunoda," Watanabe stated in an interview with as-web.jp. "We have not given up on him and are actively engaged." Nonetheless, he confirmed that Honda will conclude all driver-related discussions with Red Bull this year. "Yes, that will no longer happen," Watanabe said. "Regarding the seat from 2026 onwards, the team we can talk with is Aston Martin, not Red Bull. If Tsunoda wishes to stay with Red Bull, Honda cannot support him after 2025. If he opts for Aston Martin, and if we can create a narrative that logically backs Tsunoda's transition to Aston Martin, Honda would gladly support him."

      The challenge for Tsunoda lies in the fact that Aston Martin’s current drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, are already signed with the team for 2026. "Yes, as far as I know, 2026 is set," Watanabe acknowledged. "However, I hope that in the future, a driver developed by Honda will race for Aston Martin.”