Yuki Tsunoda at Aston Martin in the future?

Could the arrival of Honda as Aston Martin's engine supplier in 2026 allow Yuki Tsunoda to join the English team in the future?

Published on 24/05/2023 à 15:52

Valentin GLO

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Yuki Tsunoda at Aston Martin in the future?

Could Yuki Tsunoda take over as CEO of Aston Martin in 2026? - Photo Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Protected by Honda for several years, Yuki tsunoda could this be an option for a future steering wheel at Aston Martin ? The British team will be powered by the Japanese manufacturer from 2026 and the question arises whether the latter will have a say on the drivers. 

Asked about possible reunions between the Japanese firm and Fernando Alonso – who compared the power of the Japanese engine to that of a GP2 during the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix – Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, mentioned that the brand would like to have Japanese among the drivers candidates for a steering wheel.

The name of Yuki Tsunoda has in fact been mentioned. “ He comes from our school and is doing very well in Formula 1, Watanabe replied. We are very happy to see it succeed, but we still have three years to go. So it is still too early to say what will happen. Now is not the time to talk about it, but we hope he will be a candidate. »

Beyond this wish, the president of HRC recalled that “ the selection of racing drivers is entirely up to the team and not to an engine supplier” speaking of the Fernando Alonso case.

Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of the Aston Martin Performance Technologies group, has not closed the door to a future arrival of the current driver Alpha Tauri in the Silverstone stable. “ He makes a good impression, declared the Briton. He is still very young, but already experienced and he is making big progress. 

I am certain that our team of drivers will evolve by 2026, he added. Honda and Aston Martin want to have the best possible drivers in the cars. We are here to win, Honda too (...) Let's see how he progresses over the next two years and I hope we can have serious discussions together. »

A lot can happen between now and 2026, but if Yuki Tsunoda (or any other driver) were to join Aston Martin in the future, it remains unlikely to see Lance stroll leave the stable owned by his father. A potential vacant place should therefore be linked to the desires of Fernando Alonso.

ALSO READ > Honda ready to collaborate with Fernando Alonso

Valentin GLO

Journalist. Endurance reporter (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS) and sometimes F1 or IndyCar.

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