Yuki Tsunoda has dismissed speculation that his connection with Honda, Red Bull’s long-time engine supplier, is behind the team’s decision not to select him for a seat on their main Formula team 1. The Japanese driver expressed his frustration after Red Bull chose to promote Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez for the 2025 season, despite Tsunoda’s strong performance in 2024.
Ties with Honda and Red Bull decision
With Honda expected to end its partnership with Red Bull after the upcoming season and move to Aston Martin in 2026, rumors have swirled that Tsunoda’s close ties to the Japanese manufacturer could be a factor in the hesitation to Red Bull to promote it. Tsunoda, however, rejected this idea:
“It really doesn’t make sense. I don’t think the reason they don’t want to put me at Red Bull has anything to do with Honda’s future,” he told reporters. “Otherwise it wouldn’t hold water.”
Tsunoda stressed that his contract with Honda remains active beyond 2026 but suggested its flexible terms mean the manufacturer does not influence Red Bull’s decisions.
2024: Tsunoda’s Milestone Year
Tsunoda’s case for a seat at Red Bull looked stronger than ever in 2024. Emerging as AlphaTauri’s top driver, he scored 30 of the team’s 46 points and outperformed his teammates, including Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson, during the season. His strong start to the year earned him a contract extension, while Ricciardo, often seen as Red Bull’s backup option, was released.
Reflecting on his performance compared to Lawson, Tsunoda said: “It’s pretty clear what I did this year. I proved myself against my teammates. I feel like I deserved a chance.”
Red Bull skepticism
Despite his success on the track, Red Bull reportedly remains unconvinced of Tsunoda’s ability to handle the pressure of racing alongside Max Verstappen. Concerns about his consistency and temperament were cited as potential obstacles. The post-season test in Abu Dhabi, where Tsunoda drove the RB20, may have impressed Red Bull’s engineers, but it wasn’t enough to sway their decision.
Tsunoda recognized the political nature of Formula 1: “It’s one of the most political sports. Anything can happen. But it’s up to them to decide. I just focus on delivering every race.”
Communication with Red Bull
Tsunoda admitted that his contact with Red Bull’s senior management has been limited. However, he shared an interaction with team boss Christian Horner earlier in the season that left him cautiously optimistic:
“Christian said to me, ‘I’ll keep an eye on you.’ So I don’t think they’re blocking me, at least not from what they’ve told me.”
When asked if Helmut Marko has been more supportive of his career than Horner, Tsunoda replied diplomatically: “I don’t know.”
The Path to Follow
Although Tsunoda’s hopes of joining Red Bull’s senior team have been dashed for now, his journey in Formula 1 is far from over. His performances in 2024 have solidified his reputation as a talented driver, and with the backing of Honda and his contract with AlphaTauri, he remains a key figure in the Red Bull ecosystem.
However, the decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda is a reminder of the intense competition and complex dynamics within Red Bull’s driver program. For Tsunoda, the challenge now is to continue to deliver exceptional performances and keep himself in contention for future opportunities.
