Yuki Tsunoda and Honda yet to pen extension amid Ford complication

Honda and Yuki Tsunoda are yet to reach an agreement to continue together this year as the Japanese driver takes on a sideline role in F1.

Tsunoda lost his seat at Red Bull following a disappointing campaign alongside Max Verstappen in which he struggled to bring home points.

Honda has been a long-time backer of Tsunoda's career - but its relationship with Red Bull has now ended as the energy drink company opted to construct its own power unit for the new cycle of technical regulations.

Tsunoda's relationship with Honda aided his route to an F1 seat in 2021 and this year, he will carry out reserve duties at Red Bull.

But with Ford coming on board as Red Bull's new technical partner, the situation has become more complicated for Honda and Tsunoda.

“Regarding this year's contract with Tsunoda, negotiations are ongoing, so no specific agreement has been finalised yet,” Honda president Koji Watanabe told Autosport.

“This will be discussed in future talks. 

“From Honda's perspective, there's no problem. 

“The crucial point is how Ford, or rather Red Bull, views the situation. Depending on the terms Red Bull proposes, the scope within which Honda can utilise Tsunoda will change... I believe that scenario is possible.

“The negotiations are not with Tsunoda himself, but with Red Bull.”

Another Honda driver, Ayumu Iwasa, also got test and practice opportunities with Red Bull through the collaboration of the two manufacturers.

As Honda switches its allegiance to Aston Martin, Watanabe does not expect a similar integration of the two driver academies. 

“There are no such plans as yet,” he said.

“I expect we will continue to coordinate various programmes with Aston Martin, but at this point there is nothing we have agreed upon that says, ‘Let’s do this right now’.

“Therefore, at this point, we will continue to nurture drivers up to F2 within the HFDP, Honda's own programme, and if any drivers emerge who are capable of driving in F1, we will recommend them to Aston Martin.”