Honda Chief Sheds Light on Red Bull's Alleged Plans to Replace Yuki Tsunoda
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) president Koji Watanabe has opened up about rumors of Red Bull Racing parting ways with Yuki Tsunoda during the Formula One summer break next month. Watanabe addressed the topic after discussions with Red Bull during the British Grand Prix weekend.
Honda has backed Tsunoda's racing career extensively. The Japanese automaker is also Red Bull's current power unit supplier, a relationship that reportedly influenced Tsunoda's promotion to Red Bull in March.
Watanabe met Tsunoda at Silverstone and addressed concerns surrounding his performance. The 25-year-old driver has been struggling to adapt to Red Bull's RB21 F1 car. This also affected Liam Lawson in the first two Grands Prix of 2025, eventually leading to his demotion to junior F1 team Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda is placed 17th in the Drivers' Standings, having scored points in just three Grands Prix out of twelve thus far. At Silverstone, Tsunoda finished P15. His teammate Max Verstappen has also been struggling to win races, and Red Bull's push to enhance the RB21's performance has yielded little success. Watanabe was asked about Tsunoda's performance in an interview. Revealing his opinion, he said:
Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg,...
Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. More"Looking at the results from the outside, my honest impression is that they are struggling more than we expected. However, after keeping in contact with Yuki and listening to him, it seems that he is taking a more positive view than we thought.
"If the car's fighting power can be improved and they can seize the opportunity, I believe they can still do well. To that end, we at HRC will continue to provide them with our full support going forward as always." [Translated by Google]
The HRC president was then asked about rumors of Tsunoda's potential replacement during the summer break next month. Watanabe revealed that no such talks were held with Red Bull before confirming that Tsunoda will race for the Milton Keynes-based team until the end of the 2025 season. He said:
"First of all, there has been no discussion about switching over during the summer break. In the first place, in the discussions with Red Bull in March, we agreed to transfer Yuki to Red Bull by saying, 'Just because his performance is a little poor, we will not start discussions about switching over right away, but will take a long-term view.'
"So, I don't think he will be switched over during the summer break. I know there are various rumors, but I confirmed with the team at Silverstone, where the British Grand Prix was held, and I would like to make it clear that, basically, Yuki will race for Red Bull until the end of this season.
"I think that is also a reflection of Red Bull's high expectations for Yuki. Those expectations have not changed, and if he can achieve results somewhere in the second half of the season, I think that will expand his possibilities for the future." [Translated by Google]
Related: Red Bull to Part Ways With Yuki Tsunoda After 2025 Season: Report
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