Yuki Tsunoda, the 25-year-old Japanese driver, will remain with Red Bull until the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, as confirmed by Honda, the team’s technical partner, during the British Grand Prix in Silverstone in early July. The announcement, made by Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, quashes rumors of Tsunoda’s potential replacement, despite his challenging season with only 10 points in 12 races. Staying with the main team alongside Max Verstappen, Tsunoda’s retention reflects Honda’s commitment to his development amid underwhelming results. The focus now shifts to his recovery in the second half of the season, starting with the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps from July 25 to 27. Honda’s support aims to boost Tsunoda’s confidence for 2025, while discussions for 2026 remain open.
Tsunoda, who debuted in Formula 1 in 2021 with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls), faces pressure to improve his performance. Red Bull, fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, relies heavily on Verstappen for points, while Tsunoda seeks consistency.
Honda, set to end its partnership with Red Bull in 2025, views Tsunoda as a key asset for the future, particularly with its upcoming collaboration with Aston Martin in 2026.
Tsunoda’s performance in the 2025 seasonYuki Tsunoda is enduring a tough 2025 season at Red Bull, scoring only 10 points and sitting 17th in the Drivers’ Championship. Promoted to the main team after Sergio Pérez’s departure, Tsunoda faced high expectations but has struggled with the RB21’s narrow operating window. His best result was an eighth-place finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but recent races, like a 16th-place finish in Austria, drew criticism.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s consultant, noted that Tsunoda needs confidence to unlock the car’s potential, drawing comparisons to Verstappen’s driving style. Despite the challenges, Red Bull opted to retain Tsunoda through 2025, avoiding mid-season changes.
Tsunoda acknowledged his role in the poor results, particularly after a 10-second penalty for a collision with Franco Colapinto in Austria. He is now focused on improvement, supported by a team retreat in southern England to regain focus.
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Honda’s support and 2026 plansHonda, which has backed Tsunoda since his junior racing days through the Honda Formula Dream Project, reaffirmed its commitment to the driver. Koji Watanabe confirmed in Silverstone that no lineup changes are planned during the summer break.
Silverstone confirmation: Tsunoda stays with Red Bull until December 2025.
Recovery focus: Honda believes strong results in the season’s second half can secure his future.
2026 transition: Honda will supply engines to Aston Martin, with potential talks for Tsunoda.
Other options: Cadillac and Haas are possibilities, though Haas partners with Toyota.
The shift to Aston Martin in 2026 opens opportunities for Tsunoda, but with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll occupying the team’s seats, a test driver role is more likely. Tsunoda prefers a full-time race seat, with Cadillac as a potential option.
Tsunoda’s Formula 1 journeyTsunoda debuted in Formula 1 with AlphaTauri in 2021, showing promise with a fourth-place finish in Abu Dhabi. In 2024, he scored 15 points, outpacing Daniel Ricciardo in several races.
2018: Japanese F4 champion.
2020: Third place in the F2 championship.
2021: F1 debut with AlphaTauri, with inconsistent results.
2024: Seventh place in Miami, his career-best result.
2025: Promoted to Red Bull, struggling to adapt to the RB21.
Despite progress, Tsunoda faced scrutiny for errors, such as crashes in the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, which impacted Red Bull’s decision to promote Liam Lawson. His 2024 consistency, however, caught the eye of teams like Alpine and Cadillac.
Pressure at Red Bull and second-half expectationsRed Bull, with 144 points in the Constructors’ Championship, trails McLaren by 218 points. Helmut Marko admitted the constructors’ title is out of reach, citing Tsunoda’s lack of points as a factor. The team expects both drivers to score consistently to close the gap with Mercedes and Ferrari.
Tsunoda, aware of the pressure, is focused on improving. The summer break will be critical for adjustments, with intensive training planned before the Belgian Grand Prix. Red Bull is also set to introduce RB21 upgrades to boost performance on high-speed tracks.
Potential paths for 2026With Honda’s partnership with Red Bull ending in 2025, Tsunoda must plan his future. Aston Martin is the leading option due to Honda’s new engine deal, but Cadillac, entering F1 in 2026, is another possibility.
Aston Martin: Limited race seats, but a test driver role is feasible.
Cadillac: A new team with potential for Tsunoda as a lead driver.
Haas: Despite Toyota’s partnership, negotiations are not ruled out.
Racing Bulls: A possible return if Red Bull keeps a seat open.
Tsunoda has expressed a desire to race for a competitive team but prioritizes staying with Red Bull. His performance in the remaining 2025 races will be crucial for his F1 future.
Social media reactions and supportTsunoda’s situation sparked discussions among F1 fans, with many supporting his retention at Red Bull. Social media posts highlight his potential, despite recent struggles. Honda’s backing, emphasized by Watanabe, underscores Tsunoda’s dedication. Japanese fans, in particular, are hopeful he can overcome challenges and solidify his place in F1.
Next steps in the seasonThe 2025 Formula 1 season continues with the Belgian Grand Prix from July 25 to 27 in Spa-Francorchamps. Tsunoda has a chance to shine on this technical circuit, where Red Bull aims to regain ground. The team’s planned RB21 upgrades target better performance on high-speed tracks.
With Honda and Red Bull’s support, Tsunoda is focused on delivering consistent results. The season, ending in December with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will be pivotal for his career trajectory in Formula 1.
