Honda claims stays one in all its drivers, however his job as a Purple Bull-Ford reserve driver in Components 1 is perhaps a hindrance.
A product of the Honda Components Dream Challenge (HFDP) since his single-seater debut in 2016, Tsunoda quickly rose by means of the junior formulae. He gained the 2018 Japanese F4 championship and spent simply two years in Europe previous to his Components 1 debut in 2021 – one in F3, taking ninth with the unfancied Jenzer squad, and one in F2, the place the Carlin driver completed third within the standings.
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Honda’s partnership with Purple Bull meant Tsunoda joined the Purple Bull Junior Crew in 2019 and graduated to AlphaTauri (now ) in F1.
The teen spent 4 years with the Faenza-based outfit earlier than a considerably premature promotion to Purple Bull in April 2025, the place he changed a severely underperforming however struggled too – to the extent that the 25-year-old is discovering himself on the sidelines for 2026, as a reserve driver.
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In the meantime, as F1 implements new engine rules for 2026, Purple Bull has moved on to its personal in-house powertrain challenge with Ford, whereas Honda is now supplying its energy models to Aston Martin solely.
The Japanese producer “naturally” regards Tsunoda and fellow former Purple Bull/Honda junior Ayumu Iwasa as “Honda drivers” and “Honda colleagues” in mild of their standing as graduates from the HFDP, Honda Racing Company president Koji Watanabe instructed Motorsport on the Tokyo Auto Salon.
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Nonetheless, Tsunoda’s function as Purple Bull-Ford’s reserve driver may complicate the state of affairs.
“Concerning this 12 months’s contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are ongoing, so no particular settlement has been finalised but. This will likely be mentioned in future talks,” Watanabe added.
Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing Crew
Yuki Tsunoda, Purple Bull Racing Crew
“From Honda’s perspective, there is not any drawback. The essential level is how Ford, or somewhat Purple Bull, views the state of affairs.
“Relying on the phrases Purple Bull proposes, the scope inside which Honda can utilise Tsunoda will change… I imagine that situation is feasible.
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“The negotiations usually are not with Tsunoda himself, however with Purple Bull.”
Watanabe additionally clarified that Honda’s driver academy wouldn’t be intertwined with Aston Martin’s the way in which it was with the RBJT.
Aston Martin has its personal programme that includes Mari Boya, who’s graduating to F2 after ending third in F3 final 12 months, and Mathilda Paatz, the workforce’s new F1 Academy racer. Reserve driver Jak Crawford has graduated from the academy.
In the meantime, Honda has a number of kids on its books, together with 2024 French F4 champion Taito Kato, who completed seventh within the Components Regional European Championship final 12 months and can race in F3 subsequent 12 months.
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“There aren’t any such plans as but” relating to a Purple Bull-like association with Aston Martin, Watanabe stated. “I anticipate we are going to proceed to coordinate varied programmes with Aston Martin, however at this level there may be nothing we’ve agreed upon that claims, ‘Let’s do that proper now’.
“Due to this fact, at this level, we are going to proceed to nurture drivers as much as F2 inside the HFDP, Honda’s personal programme, and if any drivers emerge who’re able to driving in F1, we are going to advocate them to Aston Martin.”
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