2023-05-24 04:00:56
Honda hopes that current AlphaTauri F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda will be a candidate for a seat at Aston Martin-Honda when a new F1 engine partnership begins in 2026. Tsunoda has been a training driver for Honda since he first set foot in the world of car racing. Honda has been funding AlphaTauri seats as part of a wider deal with the Red Bull organization, and has been doing so since Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 debut in 2021.
Honda Racing Corporation president Yasuharu Watanabe said in his first response to Honda’s thoughts on the possibility of reuniting with current Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso, who had a tussle with him during his time at McLaren, “Of course. There are also Japanese drivers who are willing to take on the challenge, and I would like them to become candidates.” Asked directly if Honda would like to run Yuki Tsunoda for Aston Martin, Koji Watanabe said it was too early to seriously discuss the F1 driver for 2026, but Honda at least hopes Tsunoda will be a candidate. said there is. “He originally came from our school and is doing very well in F1,” said Koji Watanabe. “It’s great to see him succeed. But when it comes to the future, it’s still three years away, so it’s too early to say. I don’t think now is the time to talk regarding it. “But we would like him to be a candidate. But the final decision will be up to the team,” said Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies. said Yuki Tsunoda is doing well enough to attract the team’s attention. “He’s made a great impression this year,” said Whitmarsh. “He’s still very young, but he’s relatively experienced and I think he’s made a lot of progress. It’s very exciting. I’m sure our driver line-up will evolve by 2026. Eventually Honda and Aston Martin. want to have two of the best drivers we have in the car and like Honda we are here to win so we have to start winning together in 2026. needs a good driver.” “He should be considered as a candidate. I’m sure he will want to drive a car with a Honda engine.” Let’s see, and I hope we can have a serious discussion together.” Yuki Tsunoda’s early days in F1 were eventful, with crashes and AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost approaching him to F1. AlphaTauri entered 2023 on a slump following criticism over its racism and error rate, but 23-year-old Tsunoda is making an impression like never before in the face of adversity. That’s particularly impressive considering Pierre Gasly’s move to Alpine and his replacement with rookie Nick de Vries has effectively made him the team’s lead driver. That puts Tsunoda in a good position to keep his AlphaTauri seat following his contract expires this year. While Honda pays for his place in the team, Yuki Tsunoda must continue to earn his seat and performance record. Ayumu Iwasa, who is in his second year and fourth race in F2 and is ranked 3rd in the ranking, is also supported by Honda like Tsunoda. Aston Martin’s driver situation is complicated by the fact that team co-owner Lawrence Stroll’s son Lance is in one of the cars. Alonso’s current contract does not end in 2026, but he has repeatedly hinted that he would like to continue racing in F1 until the mid-2020s if he is to remain competitive, which is no surprise this season. He turns 45 during his first season with Aston Martin and Honda.
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