Honda says it hopes to continue supporting its protégé Yuki Tsunoda despite its departure from Red Bull at the end of the 2025 F1 season.
The Japanese manufacture will continue its journey in F1 from 2026 under the sport’s future regulations, but as the exclusive power unit supplier to Aston Martin F1.
This commitment means that Honda will no longer be directly associated with Tsunoda.
However, given Tsunoda's bid to secure a promotion from RB to Red Bull Racing, Honda is wholeheartedly endorsing the 23-year-old’s ambitions.
"I think it's a very beautiful story that Tsunoda would first play an active role at RB and then be promoted to Red Bull," commented Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing Corporation’s chief executive officer, speaking to Motorsport.com.
"Even if it's after we're gone, we would like to keep a close eye on him rising to the top teams.
"Tsunoda has graduated from the Honda Racing school, so that’s why from the HRC point of view it’s our dream that HRC students can become top drivers.
"So, it’s really important that Yuki becomes a top driver in Formula 1."
Last year, rumors linked Tsunoda with a possible move to Aston Martin. However, significant hurdles remain on this path.
Fernando Alonso recently secured a multi-year contract extension with the Silverstone-based outfit, solidifying his position within the team.
Additionally, team principal Mike Krack has indicated that discussions regarding Lance Stroll's contract renewal are also on the horizon, and few believe the Canadian will leave his father’s team anytime soon.
Yet Watanabe isn’t completely ruling out Aston as a potential destination for Tsunoda.
“We still don’t know what Aston Martin’s line-up will be like,” Watanabe added. “Alonso has been confirmed, but I have not yet heard that Stroll has been confirmed.
“I don’t think there is a zero chance of that happening, so I think there is a possibility of that happening at this point.”
Despite Honda’s evolving situation in F1, Watanabe suggested that it would not be "difficult" for the manufacturer to retain a relationship with Tsunoda and support the latter’s progression in F1 even after the end of its partnership with Red Bull.
“That’s not necessarily difficult,” added the Japanese engineer. “We have to decide about this and we have to see what the situation is then. But we can support Yuki to become a top driver, yes.
“There may be other possibilities in the future, but right now we don’t have any other plans. At this point, we are not yet at the stage where we are expanding our customer team.”
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