Tsunoda open to seeking pastures new without Red Bull promotion

Yuki Tsunoda insists he is happy at RB but has suggested Aston Martin could be a destination if he does not move up to Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez.

Having joined AlphaTauri in 2021, the 24-year-old has taken a notable step forward in the past year. After easily beating Nyck de Vries early last season, he has more than had the measure of Daniel Ricciardo this term.

However, despite his form, the Japanese driver has not been seriously mentioned as a possible option for the main Red Bull team. 

Dr Helmut Marko has said talks are ongoing with Tsunoda, but it has long been felt the 24-year-old would have to look outside the Milton Keynes outfit's setup for his next opportunity in F1 - something he is not opposed of doing.

"So far [I'm] very happy with RB," Tsunoda told media including RacingNews365 when asked what options he is exploring for next season. "Now we're fighting, almost... sometimes like even P7 or P8."

"So other options… probably now the top teams are pretty much taken. Probably we're [RB is] the strongest team in the midfield at least. 

"We'll see. I think, obviously, especially when I'm in Red Bull, you want to always aim for Red Bull. But if they don't want me, or they're not expecting me [to be] into the seat... if I've got an interesting offer that could be better than even RB or Red Bull, yeah, I'll think about it."

'Maybe Aston Martin...'

Tsunoda has enjoyed a strong start to the season, scoring 15 points to team-mate Ricciardo's five over the opening seven rounds of the year.

Sitting inside the top 10 in the drivers' championship - ahead of Aston Martin's Lance Stroll - he has more points than the rest of the drivers in the bottom five teams in F1 combined.

As for his options if he were to look to pastures new, having received substantial backing from Honda throughout his career, Aston Martin has been touted as a potential next home for Tsunoda.

There has also been speculation in recent days of the Japanese driver being high up on Haas' wish list for next season, with rumours that the American team is shopping around for Kevin Magnussen alternatives gaining traction. However, Tsunoda feels a sense of loyalty to Red Bull and Honda for their combined support.

"I also have a big loyalty to Red Bull as without them I wouldn't be here," he explained. "And obviously Honda as well. And speaking of Honda, maybe Aston Martin... [as a future option for him].

"But Aston [Martin], they’re taken by two drivers. So it's pretty open, but so far I'm happy with RB," he concluded.