Honda admits ‘not much more we can do’ for Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda is heading into a pivotal Formula 1 campaign as he fights to secure his future in the sport, with both Red Bull and Honda signaling that his career is now in his own hands.

As the Japanese driver embarks on his fifth season with Red Bull’s junior team – now known as Racing Bulls – the pressure is mounting for him to prove he belongs at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Honda, his longtime backer, has signaled it’s reaching the limit of its support, while Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has thrown down the gauntlet: step up or risk fading from the sport entirely.

For Tsunoda, 2025 isn’t just another campaign – it’s a fight for his future.

Honda Backing Away: ‘Not Much More We Can Do’

Tsunoda’s journey in F1 has been intertwined with Honda since before he even turned a wheel in the series, a partnership that fueled his rise through the ranks.

But as he enters this pivotal season, the Japanese manufacturer is dialing back its role.

“Tsunoda has a sponsorship agreement with us,” said Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, quoted by Motorsport Week.

“He is fundamentally an independent driver, but we support him as a sponsor.”

The message is clear: the safety net is fraying. Watanabe made clear what Tsunoda needs to do next.

“He needs to take action himself,” he urged. “He’s now in his fifth year, has the ability, and understands the world of F1 well.

“There’s not much more we can do for him. Drivers can’t rely on Honda forever. Someone of Tsunoda’s career level needs to think for himself.”

With Honda set to power Aston Martin starting in 2026 – a move that’s sparked speculation about Tsunoda’s next step – the driver’s fate now rests squarely on his own shoulders.

Marko’s Warning: Step up or Step Out

Red Bull’s decision to overlook Tsunoda for its main lineup stung. After outpacing Daniel Ricciardo last season and earning a test with the senior team, he had reason to hope.

Instead, Liam Lawson snagged the seat alongside Verstappen, replacing the struggling Sergio Perez.

Now, with rookie Isack Hadjar stepping into Racing Bulls as his teammate, Tsunoda faces a trial by fire. And Helmut Marko isn’t sugarcoating it.

“He has to show it himself,” the Austrian told Motorsport.com. “He has a young, fast team-mate next to him and it’s his own future, you know, so he has to motivate himself.

“If he is doing well, then there is a future. If not, then maybe there’s no more chance in F1 for him.”

Marko pointed to Lawson’s promotion as a lesson in what Red Bull values.

“The decision was mainly a question of mental strength,” he explained. “Around Mexico, Yuki unfortunately had his two accidents, and at the time Liam did very well.

“So it was more or less looking at all the facts for us [and then at the reasons] why we have chosen Liam.”

Read also: Tsunoda shakes up management amid Red Bull snub

Tsunoda’s raw speed has never been in doubt, but his emotional outbursts and inconsistency have long been red flags for Red Bull brass.

With Christian Horner hinting at cutting ties - especially as its next-in-mine junior star Arvid Lindblad rises – Tsunoda’s margin for error is razor-thin.

As he lines up alongside Hadjar next week in Melbourne, Tsunoda faces his most critical test yet. If he fails to deliver, his time in Formula 1 will likely come to an abrupt end.

But if he rises to the challenge, a new chapter in his career may yet unfold.

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