Last Updated on January 18 2026, 8:08 am

Shortly before the finale of the 2025 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, it was confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda would lose his race seat at Red Bull. This marked a significant turning point in the 25-year-old Japanese driver’s career, as he had long been closely associated with the Red Bull–Honda partnership.

Initially, it seemed likely that Tsunoda would at least remain within the organisation as a test and reserve driver. However, this is now far from certain, with fresh doubts emerging over whether he will have any formal role at Red Bull going forward.

At the heart of this uncertainty lies the breakdown of the framework between Red Bull and Honda, Tsunoda’s long-time supporter. Honda, Red Bull’s former engine partner, has so far been unable to reach an agreement with the Austrian team regarding Tsunoda’s future involvement. Consequently, even a non-racing role for the Japanese driver is now in question.

 

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No concrete agreement has yet been reached

Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe confirmed that discussions are ongoing and that no final decision has been made regarding Tsunoda’s contract status. Speaking on the sidelines of the Tokyo Auto Salon, Watanabe admitted that negotiations remain unresolved.

“Regarding this year’s contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are still ongoing, so no concrete agreement has been reached yet,” he said. ‘This will be discussed in future talks.”

While this may seem concerning from the outside, Watanabe was keen to stress that Honda itself does not view Tsunoda as problematic. Instead, the situation largely depends on Red Bull’s strategic assessment as it enters a new technical era.

“From Honda’s point of view, there is no issue,” Watanabe explained.

‘The crucial point is how Red Bull, or rather Ford, evaluates the overall situation.”

 

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A changing technical landscape at Red Bull

The backdrop to Tsunoda’s uncertain future is Red Bull’s major shift in engine philosophy. From the upcoming season onwards, the team will build its own power units in partnership with Ford, bringing an end to its successful, multi-year collaboration with Honda. This partnership delivered multiple world championships and also paved the way for Tsunoda’s entry into Formula 1.

With Honda no longer supplying engines to Red Bull, its influence within the team has inevitably diminished. This change has direct implications for Tsunoda, whose career progression was heavily supported by the Japanese manufacturer. As Red Bull looks ahead to its Ford-backed future, decisions are increasingly being made without Honda’s direct involvement.

 

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Honda is negotiating with Red Bull, not Tsunoda

Watanabe also clarified that the talks are not being held with Tsunoda himself, but exclusively between Honda and Red Bull. Depending on the terms proposed by the team, Honda’s ability to continue using Tsunoda in any capacity could vary significantly.

“Depending on the conditions Red Bull proposes, the extent to which Honda can use Tsunoda will change,” said Watanabe.

“I consider several scenarios possible. The negotiations are not taking place with Tsunoda, but with Red Bull.”

This statement highlights how limited Tsunoda’s influence over the process is. His future now hinges on high-level strategic discussions between corporate partners rather than on-track performance alone.

 

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From Honda protégé to uncertain future

Tsunoda originally entered Formula 1 via Honda’s junior programme, swiftly rising through the ranks before making his debut at AlphaTauri. Honda also played a role in his brief promotion within the Red Bull structure in March 2025, when he was considered as a support option alongside Max Verstappen.

However, looking further ahead, Red Bull’s long-term plans appear to be moving in a different direction. For 2026, the highly rated youngster Arvid Lindblad is set to partner Verstappen, which underlines the team’s commitment to its next generation of talent. Against this backdrop, Tsunoda’s position within the organisation is looking increasingly fragile.

It is unclear whether he will ultimately remain with Red Bull in a reduced role, transition elsewhere, or drift out of the Formula 1 spotlight altogether. For now, his future is on hold pending negotiations that have yet to deliver a concrete outcome.

 

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