JUST IN : Yuki Tsunoda to Drive Historic Honda F1 Car as Red Bull Partnership Nears Its End… Read more
Yuki Tsunoda to Drive Historic Honda F1 Car as Red Bull Partnership Nears Its End
Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda is set to experience a very different kind of machinery next month, as he prepares for a special tribute run in Mexico to mark the closing stages of Honda’s partnership with Red Bull.
From the 2026 season onwards, Red Bull will field its own in-house power units, officially ending its collaboration with Honda. The Japanese manufacturer, however, is not leaving the sport entirely. Instead, Honda will join forces with Aston Martin when Formula 1’s new engine regulations are introduced.
Before the split becomes official, Honda and Red Bull plan to honour their shared history in style. At the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix in October, Tsunoda will take the wheel of Honda’s very first race-winning car—the legendary RA272. That car, powered by a 1.5-litre V12 engine, carried Richie Ginther to victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, marking Honda’s maiden success in Formula 1.
For the occasion, the RA272 will run in a striking livery inspired by the Japanese flag, paying tribute to both Honda’s racing heritage and the 60th anniversary of Ginther’s famous triumph.
Tsunoda, who has often spoken of his pride in representing Honda on the global stage, was visibly honoured by the opportunity. “It is an honour to drive the RA272 at the special place where Honda achieved its first F1 victory,” he said. “Driving on the track where the RA272 pioneered Japanese motorsports history 60 years ago is a particularly special and deeply moving experience. With Honda’s history of challenges in my heart, I want to give fans a drive that conveys dreams and passion.”
The showrun will arrive at a crucial time for the 25-year-old, who has endured a difficult campaign with Red Bull in 2025. Tsunoda has found it hard to consistently finish in the points and currently sits only 17th in the championship standings. Despite those struggles, he enjoyed a breakthrough moment in Baku earlier this month, scoring his best finish of the season with sixth place.
Even so, his form has been overshadowed by the strong performances of teammate Isack Hadjar. The French rookie not only secured a podium at Zandvoort but has also displayed consistency throughout the year, fuelling speculation that he could earn a full Red Bull promotion in 2026. Such developments have placed Tsunoda’s future in doubt.
If he can put together a string of points-scoring finishes over the final seven rounds, Tsunoda may still secure his place on the Formula 1 grid—although likely through a step down to Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team. Sky Sports F1 analyst Ted Kravitz recently suggested that Tsunoda’s career path could instead take him elsewhere, speculating that he might follow Honda to Aston Martin in 2026. In that scenario, Tsunoda could serve as a third driver, supporting Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
Regardless of what the future holds, Tsunoda’s upcoming outing in Mexico will be a moment of celebration, not uncertainty. By driving the RA272 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, he will pay homage not only to Honda’s first triumph but also to the legacy of a partnership that has shaped much of his career.
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