Tsunoda Aims to Preserve Honda Relationship Amid Red Bull's Reserve Driver Move

Yuki Tsunoda is preparing for a 2026 season on the sidelines as a reserve driver for Red Bull, a significant shift after losing his full-time race seat. This new role coincides with a major realignment in the F1 grid, as his long-time backer Honda ends its partnership with Red Bull to become Aston Martin's power unit supplier. Despite the diverging paths, Tsunoda has made it clear he intends to preserve his crucial relationship with Honda.

Why it matters:

• Honda's support has been the cornerstone of Tsunoda's journey to F1, making the separation a significant personal and professional challenge for the Japanese driver.
• For a driver moving to a reserve role, maintaining a strong relationship with a major manufacturer like Honda is critical for future career opportunities, potentially opening doors beyond the Red Bull family.
• The situation underscores the complex web of alliances in F1, where a driver's path can be dramatically altered by decisions made at the corporate level between teams and suppliers.

The details:

• Tsunoda will serve as a reserve driver for Red Bull's senior team in 2026, supporting Max Verstappen and the newly promoted Isack Hadjar.
• Honda, which has powered Tsunoda's career since his junior days, is officially returning as a works power unit supplier in 2026 in a technical partnership with Aston Martin.
• Tsunoda publicly thanked Honda for its "a lot of support" over the years, stating, "we'll see how we can collaborate with each other" in the future, despite their "different direction."

Looking Ahead:

• Tsunoda's immediate focus will be on his duties as a Red Bull reserve driver, but his long-term aspirations will undoubtedly be centered on securing a full-time race seat for 2027.
• The most intriguing, albeit speculative, possibility could be a future move to Aston Martin. A strong relationship with Honda could position him as a candidate should an opportunity arise with the team.
• For now, Tsunoda's challenge is to remain a relevant and valuable asset within the sport, leveraging his connection to Honda to keep his racing career alive.