Helmut Marko gives MAJOR update on Yuki Tsunoda’s future with AlphaTauri

Helmut Marko hinted at Yuki Tsunoda's future with the Red Bull sister team.

Helmut Marko gives MAJOR update on Yuki Tsunoda’s future with AlphaTauri

Helmut Marko (image via PlanetF1), Yuki Tsunoda (image via PlanetF1)

Yuki Tsunoda joined F1 with AlphaTauri in 2021. During his tenure with the Faenza-based team, the Japanese driver has impressed the paddock with his performances. The 23-year-old has delivered good results this season despite driving a challenging car. Now, Red Bull consultant Dr. Helmut Marko has hinted at the future of the AlphaTauri driver.

Marko was asked if Tsunoda would stay at the Faenza-based team next season. The Austrian believed that it was the results of 2023 that would define the future of the Japanese driver. Although, the 80-year-old revealed that Red Bull is already in talks with Honda regarding the same. Yuki Tsunoda was originally a part of the Honda driver academy that propelled his way into F1 with the Red Bull sister team.

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Helmut Marko hinted that it would be safe to say that Tsunoda would stick around for another year at Faenza courtesy of his impressive performances this season. The Red Bull advisor told Kleinezeitung.at, “Of course, that depends on the further results. But there are already discussions with our partner Honda. You can assume that it will happen if you take this year’s performances.”

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Yuki Tsunoda with former Honda F1 boss Matashi Yamamoto (image via PlanetF1)
Yuki Tsunoda with former Honda F1 boss Matashi Yamamoto (image via PlanetF1)

Red Bull partnered up with Honda for F1 power units in 2019, with its sister team already running Honda power units a year prior. It was this connection that allowed for Yuki Tsunoda’s entry to AlphaTauri in 2021. However, the Japanese automaker would switch to supplying Aston Martin in 2026 as Red Bull’s power units division starts a new partnership with Ford.

Honda Racing President Koji Watanabe has revealed the carmaker’s interest in having Tsunoda race for the Silverstone-based team in 2026. Although, Watanabe made it clear that Aston Martin would have the final say in selecting the Japanese driver. He said, “I don’t think it’s the time to talk about this. But we’re hoping that he will become a candidate. But it’s up to the team to make the final decision.”

Thus, Yuki Tsunoda seems to have secured another year at the Red Bull sister team. Helmut Marko was convinced with the Japanese driver’s performances this year and hinted that the 23-year-old would stay on for 2024. Although, it remains to be seen how Tsunoda will perform against Daniel Ricciardo for the remainder of the 2023 F1 season.

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