{"id":31201,"date":"2025-03-06T12:55:54","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T17:55:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=31201"},"modified":"2025-03-06T12:55:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T17:55:54","slug":"yuki-tsunoda-on-his-own-in-securing-f1-seat-say-honda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/06\/yuki-tsunoda-on-his-own-in-securing-f1-seat-say-honda\/","title":{"rendered":"Yuki Tsunoda “on his own” in securing F1 seat, say Honda"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the eyes of many, Yuki Tsunoda<\/a> was unlucky not to earn a Red Bull<\/a> contract for 2025. The team’s decision to promote Liam Lawson instead, though not entirely unpopular, was certainly a controversial one.<\/p>\n

Not only did Tsunoda miss out on a Red Bull deal, but his contract with the Milton Keynes squad prevented him from exploring options elsewhere in the market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To mate matters worse, the 24-year-old cannot count on Honda to help him in contract negotiations.<\/p>\n

Tsunoda gets the short end of the stick<\/h4>\n

Over the last few seasons, Tsunoda has performed at a high level. This is something few people in the paddock would dispute, having seen the Japanese driver dispatch of several teammates.<\/p>\n

Having been more than a match for De Vries and Ricciardo – before outscoring Lawson last year – the Japanese driver’s market value is relatively high<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Indeed, it is understood that both Haas and Audi were interested in his services last season.<\/p>\n

It was Red Bull’s decision to activate their option on Tsunoda’s contract that prevented him from evaluating his alternatives ahead of 2025.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for the 24-year-old, this puts him in a very awkward position. The majority of drivers are on multi-year contracts, with only a few seats unfilled for 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

With Red Bull seemingly uninterested in promoting him, regardless of his performance, his future in F1 is uncertain.<\/p>\n

Christian Horner’s outfit have already suggested that it would be illogical for Tsunoda to spend another year in the second team.<\/p>\n

Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing, explains that Honda cannot offer Tsunoda any help in securing a seat:<\/p>\n

“He’s in his fifth season in F1 now,” <\/em>he told jp.motorsport.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

“He’s an experienced driver, and he’s on his own<\/strong>. <\/em>I hope he makes the decision that’s best for him.<\/em><\/p>\n

“In that sense, I think this year is a very important season. And I think next year’s seat will probably be decided very quickly.<\/em><\/p>\n

“So I want him to seize the opportunity and timing, and take the next step. I believe he can do that.<\/em><\/p>\n

“I think he needs to take action on his own. He’s in his fifth year, he’s skilled, and he knows the world of F1 very well.<\/em><\/p>\n

“There’s not much we can do for him.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>