Honda continues to train juniors for Red Bull: 'I want kids to keep dreaming'

For the first time since 2014 and Kamui Kobayashi, a Japanese driver will compete in Formula 1. Yuki Tsunoda is making his debut at Alpha Tauri this season and expectations are high.

Good winter test

Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri had an encouraging winter test. Max Verstappen set the fastest time, followed by Yuki Tsunoda in second place. An excellent starting position for Honda .

This is also the opinion of Masashi Yamamoto, Honda's managing director who hopes Tsunoda will achieve good results at Alpha Tauri, although he remains modest on the Japanese website as-web.jp.

"There is still some work to do at AlphaTauri, but I hope we can finish that this week and then race next week."

Expectations Tsunoda

Tsunoda comes from Honda's junior training program, so Yamamoto has high expectations for their pupil.

"The season is successful if he can score points. If he has the chance, I want him to aim for the podium. He's still a rookie this year, but I think he's going to be a good match for [Pierre] Gasly."

Honda junior program

Honda are leaving Formula 1 at the end of this season, but that doesn't mean Honda's junior program is going to stop either.

"If we have a good driver, we will talk to Red Bull and we will continue to do so. That cooperation will stay. I want kids to be able to keep dreaming."

In fact, Tsunoda's successor is already lined up. "Ayumu Iwasa is driving Formula 3 this season and is a very good driver."