More often than not, the future of a Formula 1 driver is determined by multiple factors and not just their racing prowess. The talent part is first and foremost. After that, it’s a bit of luck; it’s a bit of timing. And then, a lot of it depends on availability. No matter how good you are or what you’ve done in the past, there are only 20 available spots in Formula 1. Many miss out on actualizing their Formula 1 dream because of this aspect. This is exactly why AlphaTauri man Yuki Tsunoda wanted to clear the air about his commitment before he lost his seat because of assumptions or confusion.

This situation arose because of Honda and the company’s future in the sport. After announcing its withdrawal from the sport after a long-serving and successful partnership with Red Bull, Honda took a U-turn on their decision. However, the Japanese company drove a little further to Aston Martin’s garage to extend their stint in the circus as an engine supplier. This scenario has given rise to speculations that Tsunoda quickly wanted to address.

Yuki Tsunoda clears the air about his future and commitment to Red Bull

All big stakeholders have some power in the sport and can influence the driver lineup of a team when we consider the political aspect of F1. This is precisely why two Germans drove for Mercedes (a German brand) after the team rebranded and became a standalone constructor. We already have two Frenchmen driving for the French team Alpine. These aspects play a part and influence decisions to some degree. This is precisely why rumors started swirling when Honda joined hands with Aston Martin.

Now, there is also a suggestion that Tsunoda was accepted into the Red Bull Academy, which eventually translated to his AlphaTauri seat, thanks to Honda’s partnership with Red Bull. The idea is the Japanese company wanted to see a Japanese driver in the sport and hopefully succeed. Considering their impending partnership with Aston Martin, will this change Tsunoda’s career trajectory?

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If we ask Tsunoda, the AlphaTauri man wants to stay in the Red Bull family, which he expressed in his conversation with Motorsport. He wants to remain loyal to the team he’s been with since he was 18 years old and continue fighting for the coveted and highly sought-after Red Bull second seat. He also quickly put the Aston Martin suggestion to bed.

“I’m at AlphaTauri, and I’ve been with Red Bull since I was 18 years old. So, I am now focusing to perform for Red Bull, not for Aston Martin. Hopefully, they don’t misunderstand those things, and hopefully, they really consider my future seriously,” he said.

Team boss Christian Horner also echoed this outlook toward Tsunoda’s future. He said, “Yuki is in Formula 1 because of his talent, not because of his nationality. Now, whether he ultimately proves to be good enough to step up to the Red Bull Racing team… He will have to earn that opportunity based on what he does on track.”

“He Made Many Mistakes”: Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 Progress Gets Blunt Verdict From Ex-Red Bull Racer

The Japanese driver even demanded more attention when Daniel Ricciardo burst onto the scene, becoming the favorite for the Red Bull seat. However, as things stand, it will all come down to performance on the track rather than nationality in the Red Bull camp. Although if nationality does play a part, where does that leave Fernando Alonso?

The impact of Honda’s partnership with Aston Martin on the future of Fernando Alonso

In 2015, while driving for McLaren, the Spaniard called out the Japanese engine manufacturer and said it was like he was driving with a “GP2 engine” during the Japanese GP. Such an insult during their home race did not sit well with Honda’s hierarchy. However, the Spaniard has come around especially as they will be the engine supplier for Aston Martin from the 2026 season onwards. However, with his contract expiring in 2024, will we even see Alonso in the circus till 2026?

The Spaniard received a second lease of F1 life thanks to Aston Martin’s surprise jump to the front. The multiple podiums have surely rejuvenated Alonso’s competitive spirit and reignited others’ faith in his abilities. So, even though his contract ends in 2024, we expect the Spaniard to stick around for longer. He also expressed his desire to continue racing.

“I like competition. I like to be fast, and I hate losing. It’s obviously not very difficult to motivate myself when I’m in the car.” When asked if he’s considering retirement, he said, “Not at the moment. I know I’m at the last stage of my career, but I don’t see it that way at the moment. I don’t have a [specific] date when I want to end my career.”

However, in an extreme scenario, we might just see some shuffling. Hypothetically, the contracts of Alonso, Sergio Perez, and Tsunoda all ending in 2024, we might see Perez out of the Red Bull family, Tusnoda join Aston Martin thanks to the Honda influence, and Alonso grab the second Red Bull seat. This will also give Liam Lawson his promised drive in 2025 at AlphaTauri. However, this will mean a snub for Daniel Ricciardo as he would have to remain at AlphaTauri or take his talents somewhere other than his “fairytale ending.”

If this turns out to be the case, it will be one of the most unexpected turn of events in a silly season for a long time. Sadly, no one can predict the future, especially in the world of F1. So, let’s wait and find out.

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EssentiallySports.

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