Honda has admitted that it is pushing for Yuki Tsunoda to get a test drive in Red Bull Racing's 2024 car.
Although Liam Lawson currently seems to be the frontrunner to potentially replace Sergio Perez next year, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe has confirmed that they would like Tsunoda to be given an opportunity to show what he can do in the title-contending Red Bull.
"We believe that Tsunoda has the potential to be promoted to Red Bull, so we asked that he be evaluated appropriately with a test in a Red Bull car as soon as possible," Watanabe told as-web.jp.
"Red Bull has said that they are considering that opportunity," Watanabe added.
Indeed, Dr. Helmut Marko has confirmed that Tsunoda could get his chance at the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi.
"I think I will take part in the tests," Tsunoda said in Mexico. "Possibly. We are talking about Red Bull Racing, so you can't be sure about these things until it happens. Right now, I am focusing on my job."
Tsunoda also credited Honda for supporting his quest for a Red Bull test. "I have asked for these tests many times, and Honda really helped me with that. I am very grateful to them. In fact, I asked for tests from the first race, and all last year for sure," he explained.
However, with Honda's partnership with Red Bull set to end after 2025 due to the Japanese giant's switch to Aston Martin for 2026, there is some uncertainty about Red Bull's ongoing interest in Tsunoda.
Watanabe confirmed that the joint driver development programs between Red Bull and Honda will end after 2024.
"After discussing with Helmut Marko, we have decided that Red Bull and Honda will basically end their joint driver training in 2024," Watanabe explained. "That is because if we did keep jointly training in 2025, Red Bull and Honda will no longer be partners in F1 in 2026."
This could also affect the future of another Honda-backed driver, Ayumu Iwasa, in the Red Bull junior program. However, Watanabe pointed out that both Iwasa and Tsunoda could still have opportunities with either Red Bull or Aston Martin in the future.
"Although our joint training will end in 2024, Iwasa has both options," Watanabe said. "If Red Bull says they need him, he can still drive for a Red Bull team, and if Aston Martin says they need him, he can go to Aston Martin."
"Although Tsunoda is a product of Honda's development team, he is no longer a development driver, so he can race wherever he can make the most of his opportunities – whether it's Honda or Red Bull," Watanabe added.
"Just because he is a product of Honda's development team doesn't mean that he can't drive in a Red Bull team after 2026, and we won't stop him from doing so," Watanabe concluded.
