A late intervention from Honda using a TPC car power unit supply as leverage could help to give Yuki Tsunoda a reprieve in the Red Bull camp for 2026.
Next season Isack Hadjar is set to graduate to Red Bull Racing as Tsunoda’s replacement, while F2 star Arvin Lindblad is being lined up for a promotion to Racing Bulls.
That leaves the remaining Racing Bulls seat down to a choice between incumbent Liam Lawson and the demoted Tsunoda.
Both drivers signed contract extensions several weeks ago, moving the latest date for a decision over next season from September 30 to November 30, which explains why Helmut Marko has made it clear that the choice would be made over the Qatar GP weekend.
The consensus in the paddock is that in the wake of Tsunoda’s difficult year alongside Max Verstappen at RBR he will be sidelined, and Lawson will get the nod to stay on.
However RB sources insist that the final decision has not been made, and thus Tsunoda can still earn his place with a strong weekend in Doha.
He did his case no harm by outpacing Verstappen to qualify fifth for the Qatar sprint on a day when Lawson was only 17th fastest.
If it really is still a close call between Lawson and Tsunoda then the latter’s longtime supporter Honda could tip the balance.
It has some leverage as Red Bull needs power units for the TPC cars of its two teams – and that requires a brand new deal given that the Japanese manufacturer’s current commitment effectively ends with the upcoming Abu Dhabi test before it switches its future focus to Aston Martin.
The major rules changes reduce the specific relevance of the older cars relative to the new models.
Nevertheless an extensive TPC programme would be a vital part of Lindblad’s preparations for and development during the 2026 season, and without Honda PUs the only option would be to rent someone else’s car.
Honda is thus in a position to dictate terms, and the Japanese company is understood to be using the situation to encourage Red Bull to give the Racing Bulls race seat to Tsunoda.
It’s understood that talks are going on between the two parties this weekend.
If Tsunoda is left without a race seat he could still transition into a reserve role across the two Red Bull teams, or potentially look for a similar job and a fresh start elsewhere.
Aston Martin is an obvious safety net, although the team recently announced Jak Crawford as its third driver, noting that he will be “reserve at all races.”
Adam Cooper F1 