Yuki Tsunoda has tried to silence rumours linking him with Aston Martin, as the AlphaTauri driver doesn’t want the Red Bull family to think he’s looking elsewhere.
It was announced during the recent Japanese Grand Prix that Tsunoda will remain with the Red Bull sister team in 2024, in what’ll be his fourth season for the Faenza-based team.
He’s made terrific progress in 2023 and has shown signs that he has what it takes to become a strong Formula 1 driver, something which was questioned during his outbursts last season.
It’s believed that Red Bull and AlphaTuri’s engine supplier Honda played a crucial role in Tsunoda being retained, as the Japanese manufacturer are very close to the driver.
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Honda have supported Tsunoda’s motorsport career and are keen to keep the driver close to them, even when they leave the Red Bull family.
In 2026 when the new power unit regulations are introduced, Honda will leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin, making them a works outfit.
It’s understood that Honda are very keen to take Tsunoda with them to Aston Martin, resulting in the driver being linked to the Silverstone-based side.
Tsunoda is very aware of the rumours and has insisted that he’s “focused” on racing for the Red Bull family, rather than trying to make a switch to Aston Martin happen.
He’s keen for Red Bull to recognise his loyalty and not think that he’s planning his next contract, possibly for 2025.
“I don’t want Red Bull to misunderstand and think that I’m focused on signing with Aston Martin or something like that,” Tsunoda said.
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“I’m an Alpha Tauri driver, I’ve been with Red Bull since I was 18, so I’m just focused on doing well at Red Bull. Not at Aston Martin.”
Should Aston Martin be interested in Tsunoda, then Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has stressed that the side would need to come to an agreement with the energy drink company, given that the Japanese star is contracted to them.
A lot of it largely depends on whether Lance Stroll quits F1 and if Fernando Alonso is given a new deal for 2025, with Aston Martin having multiple serious decisions to make soon.