F1 News
"The question is whether Red Bull still wants him with Honda's exit”
- GPblog.com
He was first in the queue to get a spot at AlphaTauri in Formula 1, Honda Protegé Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver is doing well in Formula 2 and because of his ties with Honda, the changeover for 2021 would've been a logical step.
Formula 1 debut off the table?
Tsunoda has already won two Formula 2 races and is currently third in the championship. If he can hold this position, he will have enough super license points to race in Formula 1. "AlphaTauri is already planning to let Tsunoda - AlphaTauri are already planning on running Tsunoda – Honda’s best F1 prospect in years - at the end-of-season Abu Dhabi young driver test, which follows the season finale in December, to evaluate his potential for next year," Formula 1 journalist Lawrence Barretto said on the F1 website.
With Honda leaving Formula 1, the attraction of Tsunoda at AlphaTauri also seems to be in jeopardy. "However, Honda’s departure from F1 at the end of 2021 raises doubts as to their continued support of aspiring racing drivers – including Tsunoda - going forward and it remains to be seen if Red Bull would retain him as a young driver," Barretto continues.
Opportunities for Kvyat?
If Tsunoda actually sees his Formula 1 aspirations go up in smoke, does that offer opportunities for Daniil Kvyat? The Russian seemed to be sitting on the brink of depature with the possible arrival of Tsunoda, but perhaps this will change things.