Yuki Tsunoda and Honda Stalled by Red Bull 2026 Transition

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - The future of Yuki Tsunoda and his long-standing relationship with Honda remains unresolved, as ongoing negotiations are complicated by Red Bull Racing’s technical transition ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.

Tsunoda lost his Red Bull race seat following a difficult season alongside Max Verstappen, where his points return failed to meet internal expectations. Despite that setback, the Japanese driver will remain within Red Bull’s structure this year in a reserve role, a position closely linked to Honda’s continued backing of his career.

Honda has been instrumental in Tsunoda’s rise to Formula 1 since his debut in 2021. However, the manufacturer’s influence within Red Bull has diminished following the conclusion of their power unit partnership, with Red Bull opting to develop its own engine internally for the new regulatory cycle in collaboration with Ford.

Honda president Koji Watanabe confirmed that no formal agreement has yet been reached regarding Tsunoda’s contractual situation, stressing that discussions remain ongoing and are centred on Red Bull rather than the driver himself.

“Regarding this year’s contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are ongoing, so no specific agreement has been finalised yet,” Watanabe told Autosport.
“This will be discussed in future talks.”

Watanabe underlined that Honda has no fundamental objection to continuing its association with Tsunoda, but acknowledged that Red Bull’s new partnership with Ford introduces an additional layer of complexity into the decision-making process.

“From Honda’s perspective, there is no problem,” Watanabe said.
“The crucial point is how Ford, or rather Red Bull, views the situation. Depending on the terms Red Bull proposes, the scope within which Honda can utilise Tsunoda will change.”

He further clarified that the negotiations are taking place at an organisational level, rather than directly involving Tsunoda himself.

“The negotiations are not with Tsunoda personally, but with Red Bull,” Watanabe added.

Tsunoda’s case reflects a broader transitional phase for Honda as it prepares to realign its Formula 1 involvement. The Japanese manufacturer is set to become a works power unit partner to Aston Martin under the 2026 regulations, prompting questions over whether Honda’s driver development structure could be integrated with Aston Martin’s programme.

Addressing those concerns, Watanabe stated that no such integration is currently planned, in contrast to Honda’s previous collaboration with Red Bull, which provided testing and practice opportunities to drivers such as Ayumu Iwasa.

“There are no such plans at this stage,” Watanabe said.
“We expect to continue coordinating various programmes with Aston Martin, but at this point there is nothing agreed that says, ‘Let’s do this right now’.”

For the foreseeable future, Honda will continue to develop drivers through its Honda Formula Dream Project up to Formula 2 level, recommending any suitable candidates to Aston Martin if they are deemed Formula 1-ready. Within that framework, Tsunoda’s unresolved status stands as a key reference point for how Honda manages its shifting alliances in modern Formula 1, a situation that will continue to be closely followed by Sportrik Media at https://sportrik.com/en.