What the deal between Honda and Red Bull might mean for Tsunoda

Earlier this season, AlphaTauri announced that Pierre Gasly will remain with the team into 2023. The Frenchman has proven himself in the past, and with Sergio Perez's contract extension not freeing up a spot at Red Bull, Gasly will stay with the junior team for now.

That is not yet the case for Tsunoda. The Japanese driver is currently five points behind his teammate in the driver's championship, but has shown improvement compared to 2021. Yet Tsunoda has also had some lesser performances this season, such as causing an incident with Gasly at the British Grand Prix that saw the Frenchman retire.

Helmut Marko has previously said he is impressed with Tsunoda, but the Red Bull advisor has also said he needs to get his temper under control. Tsunoda is also called the 'problem child' by Marko. A few weeks back a psychologist was appointed to help the young Japanese driver. Tsunoda often screams over the radio out of frustration. According to AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost, the driver just needs a little more time to get going, but he is showing that he has the speed to stay in the sport.

Tsunoda has good relationship with Honda

Tsunoda has had a lot of support from Honda throughout his career. He has been supported by the Honda Formula Dream programme since 2016, and in 2018 he became champion of the Japanese Formula 4 Championship. In addition, Tsunoda is the first Japanese driver in Formula 1 since 2014. It was Honda's long-awaited dream to see a Japanese driver in the premier class again.

However, Honda officially left the sport after Max Verstappen 's title win in 2021. Since then the Japanese car brand has only supported the team with its engine division Red Bull Powertrains. On Tuesday it was officially announced that Honda will continue to support Red Bull Powertrains until 2025.

Contract extension for Tsunoda?

The deal might mean good news for Tsunoda. There are rumours that there will also be a sponsorship deal between Honda and Red Bull, which may give the Japanese brand more influence over who sits in AlphaTauri's seats. Red Bull's junior team will also be driving Red Bull Powertrains supported by the Japanese brand through to 2025. Honda wants nothing more than a Japanese driver in Formula 1, so it will not be happy if Tsunoda has to leave the sport.

The well-informed Albert Fabrega reports on Twitter that the marketing and commercial agreement between Red Bull and Honda has not yet been finalised. The agreement would also include Tsunoda's contract. Red Bull has many juniors in Formula 2 who are eager to make the switch to F1. Liam Lawson, Jehan Daruvala and Dennis Hauger, among others, are Red Bull's big talents. The team also has a number of Japanese juniors under contract, including F2 driver Ayumu Iwasa. The Japanese driver has been part of the Red Bull junior team since this year. He scored his first F2 victory at Paul Ricard and his first pole position in Hungary.

Gasly will not stay at AlphaTauri forever, so a spot may become available for another talented driver after 2023. Tsunoda will at least hope that his performance and the deal with Honda are enough for a contract extension. If Iwasa continues to perform well, Tsunoda may have another Japanese competitor in the future.