Tsunoda to Red Bull? Red Bull see potential in him

With the departure of Honda at the end of 2021, the name of Yuki Tsunoda suddenly became questionable. Do Red Bull still want to train this talent of Honda? Masashi Yamamoto thinks so.

Giving Tsunoda another chance

Yuki Tsunoda has been performing well in Formula 2 and will have been on the radar of Alpha Tauri for a promotion into the pinnacle of motorsport. However, now that Honda have announced their departure, and there are questions about that. Will Tsunoda still be of interest to Red Bull if Honda does leave after all, or will this Japanese talent also be interesting without Honda's support?

''He is the first Japanese driver in Red Bull's programme, so Red Bull sees potential in him and his talent. I want him to make it to Formula 1 based on his talent and I want Red Bull to recognise that, but Honda will also try to support him as best it can," Yamamoto said to The Race.

The hopes of Japan

''For three to four years now we have been talking to Helmut Marko about the fact that we want to develop a Japanese driver who can win races in F1. Red Bull's demands are therefore not easy and they are therefore very critical. However, I think he can make it," said Honda's top man, who says the importance for Japanese motorsport depends on Tsunoda's future.

''It is very important for a Japanese company, but also for Japanese fans. A Japanese driver with a Japanese motorbike on Suzuka would be something unique for Japanese fans. That's why I hope this will actually happen," concluded Yamamoto.