Formula 1: Thanks to Honda – Aston Martin chance for Tsunoda?

Yuki Tsunoda has arrived in Formula 1. In his third season with Racing Bulls, the Japanese impresses with consistency and speed and puts his staunch rival Daniel Ricciardo in the shade. The Red Bull legend praises Tsunoda – but the door could also open for him outside the Bull family.

Yuki Tsunoda certainly wasn’t always convincing in his first two seasons in motorsport’s premier class. The 1.59 meter man often ran away with the horse – mistakes and lost marks were the result. Tsunoda rarely fails to bring his skills to the pitch.

This year is different. At Racing Bulls, Tsunoda competes with strong rival Daniel Ricciardo and recently shone in tenth place at his home race at Suzuka. With seven points, the 23-year-old finished in a strong eleventh place in the World Drivers’ Championship.

“His mistakes and his lack of control are a thing of the past, he has really blossomed,” said Red Bull mentor Helmut Marko, praising his former youngster. Racing Bulls boss Peter Bayer also sees Tsunoda seeing a constant “upward trend” for “six months”.

The Japanese “are incredibly focused and physically strong,” quotes “f1-insider.com” Bayer. “He went from youth to adulthood.”

But what will happen to Tsunoda? His contract with Racing Bulls expires at the end of the season. Despite his strong performance, his dream of a promotion to Red Bull seems far away.

Formula 1: Is Tsunoda searching Alonso’s cockpit?

Tsunoda can only have a place in the senior team if Max Verstappen really leaves Red Bull and the world champion position becomes vacant. With Spaniards Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso being sold to Red Bull, but also young RB player Liam Lawson and Verstappen’s current winger Sergio Perez, Tsunoda would have to fend off stiff competition.

Tsunoda may be opening the door to another racing team: Aston Martin. The British team will be supplied with engines by Honda from 2026, when new engine regulations come into force in F1.

In the past, the engine manufacturer repeatedly insisted its partners put a Japanese driver in the car. Tsunoda would then have a very powerful lawyer. And: Fernando Alonso may leave Aston Martin in 2025 – the seat next to the permanent owner of the cockpit and the son of the owner of the team Lance Stroll will then be free.

The Racing Bulls are aware that Tsunoda “will attract other teams,” the team’s CEO Bayer said: “We know that others have already woken up.”