Honda claims Yuki Tsunoda stays certainly one of its drivers, however his job as a Purple Bull-Ford reserve driver in Formulation 1 is likely to be a hindrance.
A product of the Honda Formulation Dream Venture (HFDP) since his single-seater debut in 2016, Tsunoda quickly rose by way of the junior formulae. He gained the 2018 Japanese F4 championship and spent simply two years in Europe previous to his Formulation 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.
Honda’s partnership with Purple Bull meant Tsunoda joined the Purple Bull Junior Crew in 2019 and graduated to AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in F1.
The teenager 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 Liam Lawson 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 laws 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 gentle of their standing as graduates from the HFDP, Honda Racing Company president Koji Watanabe advised Motorsport on the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Nevertheless, Tsunoda’s position as Purple Bull-Ford’s reserve driver would possibly complicate the state of affairs.
“Relating to this yr’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
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
“From Honda’s perspective, there isn’t 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.
“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 yr, and Mathilda Paatz, the staff’s new F1 Academy racer. Reserve driver Jak Crawford has graduated from the academy.
In the meantime, Honda has a number of children on its books, together with 2024 French F4 champion Taito Kato, who completed seventh within the Formulation Regional European Championship final yr and can race in F3 subsequent yr.
“There are not any such plans as but” relating to a Purple Bull-like association with Aston Martin, Watanabe stated. “I anticipate we’ll proceed to coordinate varied programmes with Aston Martin, however at this level there’s nothing we’ve agreed upon that claims, ‘Let’s do that proper now’.
“Subsequently, at this level, we’ll proceed to nurture drivers as much as F2 throughout the HFDP, Honda’s personal programme, and if any drivers emerge who’re able to driving in F1, we’ll suggest them to Aston Martin.”
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