Yuki Tsunoda’s expected reserve driver role for 2026 has hit an unexpected contractual roadblock, with Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe revealing that negotiations with Red Bull remain unresolved. Despite widespread assumptions that the Japanese driver’s future was secured, no agreement has been finalized—leaving Tsunoda in limbo as Formula 1’s new era approaches.

The Unexpected Stalemate

What should have been a straightforward transition into a reserve role has become complicated by the shifting political landscape of Formula 1’s technical partnerships. Tsunoda, a Honda Formula Dream Project graduate who has been backed by the Japanese manufacturer throughout his career, finds himself caught between two diverging corporate entities.

Speaking at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Watanabe was candid about the situation:

The statement came as a surprise to many who assumed Tsunoda’s reserve position at Red Bull for 2026 was already confirmed following his demotion from the race seat alongside Max Verstappen.

Honda’s Perspective: No Problem on Their End

Watanabe emphasized that from Honda’s perspective, continuing their relationship with Tsunoda poses no issues. The manufacturer still regards both Tsunoda and fellow Honda Formula Dream Project graduate Ayumu Iwasa as « Honda drivers » and « Honda colleagues. »

However, the Honda Racing Corporation president made it clear where the real complexity lies:

This statement reveals the heart of the matter. With Red Bull transitioning to its own in-house power unit project in partnership with Ford, while Honda moves to supply Aston Martin exclusively, Tsunoda’s status as a Honda-backed driver at a Ford-powered team creates an unprecedented situation.

Watanabe further explained: « Depending on the terms Red Bull proposes, the scope within which Honda can utilise Tsunoda will change. I believe that scenario is possible. The negotiations are not with Tsunoda himself, but with Red Bull. »

The Red Bull-Ford Factor

The revelation that negotiations are happening directly between Honda and Red Bull—rather than with Tsunoda himself—underscores how little control the driver has over his own future. His career trajectory now depends on high-level corporate discussions between organizations that no longer share a technical partnership.

These are not merely academic questions. The scope of Tsunoda’s potential activities—whether he could participate in testing, simulator work, or promotional activities for Honda—would all need to be negotiated and approved by Red Bull, which now has its own engine partner to consider.

No Aston Martin Escape Route

Given Honda’s move to Aston Martin, speculation naturally arose about whether Tsunoda might follow his long-time backer to the British team. However, Watanabe has firmly closed that door—at least for now.

« I expect we will continue to coordinate various programmes with Aston Martin, but at this point there is nothing we have agreed upon that says, ‘Let’s do this right now,' » the Honda Racing Corporation president stated.

He clarified Honda’s approach to driver development going forward: « We will continue to train drivers up to Formula 2 within our own programme, the HFDP. If drivers emerge who are capable of driving in Formula 1, we will recommend them to Aston Martin. »

From Promise to Predicament

Tsunoda’s current situation represents a dramatic reversal of fortunes. The 25-year-old entered Formula 1 in 2021 with Racing Bulls (then AlphaTauri), backed by Honda’s partnership with Red Bull. He spent four solid years developing his craft at the junior team, consistently showing flashes of speed while working on consistency and temperament.

His long-awaited promotion to Red Bull Racing finally arrived in April 2025, when he replaced the struggling Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen. It was meant to be Tsunoda’s moment to prove he belonged at the sport’s highest level.

Instead, the opportunity became a nightmare. Tsunoda managed just 30 points across the remainder of the 2025 season—a figure that pales in comparison to Verstappen’s 421 points. While the gap to the four-time world champion was always expected to be substantial, Tsunoda’s struggles went beyond mere performance deficit.

The irony is stark: Lawson, who had initially lost his seat after two difficult race weekends, retained his position at Racing Bulls for 2026. Tsunoda, despite his longer tenure and greater experience, found himself demoted to reserve status—a role that now appears less secure than anyone anticipated.

What Happens Next?

The immediate priority for all parties is to reach some form of agreement before pre-season testing begins. Tsunoda’s management, led by Khalil Beschir, faces the challenge of navigating these corporate negotiations while protecting their client’s interests.

Several scenarios remain possible:

• Limited Reserve Role Red Bull could agree to maintain Tsunoda in a reserve capacity with strict limitations on his Honda-related activities. This would keep him involved in Formula 1 while respecting Ford’s position as Red Bull’s engine partner.
• Enhanced Flexibility Alternatively, Red Bull might be more accommodating, allowing Honda greater latitude to utilize Tsunoda for promotional and development work, recognizing that this serves the driver’s interests without threatening their own operations.
• Clean Break In the most extreme scenario, negotiations could break down entirely, leaving Tsunoda without a formal role at either Red Bull or Honda for 2026. This seems unlikely but cannot be ruled out given the unusual circumstances.

Potential 2027 Opportunities

While 2026 looks increasingly uncertain, there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who is Tokyo-born and has worked extensively in Formula 1, has indicated interest in Tsunoda for the future.

Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com, Komatsu addressed the possibility: « I can’t comment on his future. Obviously he’s not our driver. 2027? I think we have to focus on ’26 with our drivers and with brand-new regulations. I think most of the drivers knew that, obviously, as they wanted to see how ’26 pans out and they wanted to pick a better team for ’27. »

Haas has recently strengthened its technical partnership with Toyota, which could create an interesting dynamic. While this represents yet another manufacturer relationship to navigate, it also suggests that Japanese drivers remain valued in the sport.

The Human Element

Lost in the corporate maneuvering is the reality of Tsunoda’s position as a 25-year-old racing driver whose career hangs in the balance. Having dedicated his life to reaching Formula 1, he now faces the prospect of a year largely in the simulator, without even the certainty of a contract guaranteeing that role.

Tsunoda has publicly committed to using 2026 to improve and position himself for a return to racing in 2027. But to do that, he first needs resolution on his contractual status—something that remains frustratingly out of his hands.

Conclusion

As Formula 1 prepares for its 2026 technical revolution, Yuki Tsunoda finds himself in an unexpected holding pattern. What should have been a straightforward reserve role has become a complex negotiation between Honda and Red Bull, two organizations that no longer share a partnership but both maintain claims on the Japanese driver’s services.

Koji Watanabe’s admission that « no specific agreement has been finalised yet » reveals just how uncertain Tsunoda’s immediate future remains. With pre-season testing approaching and no contract in place, the clock is ticking on finding a resolution that satisfies Honda, Red Bull, Ford, and—hopefully—Tsunoda himself.

For now, the driver who rose through Honda’s development programme and spent five years in Formula 1 waits, his future dependent on corporate negotiations over which he has no direct influence. It’s a stark illustration of the business realities that increasingly shape modern motorsport, where even experienced drivers can find themselves as pawns in larger strategic games.