Honda open door for Tsunoda: 'Doesn't have to go to Aston Martin'

"Red Bull stays with us until 2025, so if Tsunoda is a winning driver, of course, they want him on board," HRC president (Honda Racing) Koji Watanabe said in an interview with the Japanese AS Web. "In my regular conversations with Red Bull, they say, 'It depends on this year's results'. They have high expectations of us and to meet those expectations, in my personal opinion we have to be at least on the podium."

"Of course, the word 'podium' has not been mentioned in the meetings, but I think he has to do well to go to the top team, and I think he can do that. And I think he feels that more than anything else." In the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain, Tsunoda finished 14th, just behind Daniel Ricciardo. This was to the great displeasure of the Japanese driver, who had to let his teammate overtake following team orders.

Tsunoda and Aston Martin

But how likely is a promotion for Tsunoda? The 23-year-old driver is still a Honda protégé, and the Japanese company will supply engines to Aston Martin starting in 2026. Tsunoda might also be an option to replace Fernando Alonso should the two-time World Champion decide to leave.

"I am not thinking about that. I said to Tsunoda, 'I want you to do it without being tied to Honda'. The fact that we are working with Aston Martin from 2026 does not mean that Honda-trained drivers have to go to Aston Martin with Honda. What is important is that the Honda-trained drivers are among the world's best, regardless of which team they are with," he added. "Although it would be great if they were with the same team."