System 1 | Honda will ‘welcome’ Tsunoda to Aston Martin F1

Honda has made no secret of its desire to see a Japanese driver behind the wheel of a car powered by its own engines for the new era of Formula 1 rules that begins in 2026.

Currently, the engines powering the four F1 cars owned by Red Bull are officially called “Honda RBPT” – the latter acronym designating Red Bull’s new power training project. A very fair name.

“The reason is that the batteries manufactured by Honda are connected to the RBPT,” explains Yasuharu Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation.

“After 2021, our team joined Red Bull Powertrains and now has the skills to develop ESS (energy storage systems) at the same level as Honda.”

“However, batteries from 2026 will be completely different.”

Officially, the “factory” relationship between Red Bull and Honda is over after 2021 – and the Japanese manufacturer will move completely to a new partner, Aston Martin F1, for 2026 and beyond. Alonso and Honda will now team up again in 2026.

Honda is currently looking for a UK site for a new European F1 base.

“We want to start recruiting in June, then there will be garden holidays, etc.” adds Watanabe. “The location of HRC UK is still undecided.”

Also at the moment, Aston Martin’s second driver for 2025 has not yet been officially confirmed, although Lance Stroll – the son of team owner Lawrence – is the favourite.

Honda, however, is pushing Yuki Tsunoda, who currently uses the Honda-RBPT powerplant in the Red Bull youth team.

Honda has supported the Japanese driver throughout his F1 career so far.

"Going into our fourth year, I feel like he’s calmer than ever," Accept Watanabe. “Not just on the radio but also in normal conversation. He’s really changed.”

He admits Tsunoda’s move to Aston Martin F1 would make sense.

“I told him, ‘You shouldn’t stay at Honda forever.’ So, even if our partnership with the Red Bull family ends in 2025, there will be no problem for us if he stays at Honda or he goes elsewhere.”

“But if there is an opportunity for him to come to Aston Martin, of course we will welcome it. I want him to make the best choice for him.”

Such a situation means that Lance Stroll leaves his position and leaves F1. This is clearly not being considered according to Mike Krack, director of Aston Martin F1.