Red Bull has suggested that it is contemplating giving Yuki Tsunoda a test outing in its Formula 1 car once the 2024 season concludes amid discussions with Honda.
Tsunoda, who has delivered an impressive campaign to spearhead RB’s prospects, has been adamant this season that he is prepared to make the step up to Red Bull.
However, Red Bull has remained unenamoured with granting Tsunoda the chance next to Max Verstappen, despite Sergio Perez’s continuing woes in the second seat.
But Honda, Red Bull’s current engine supplier, revealed at the United States Grand Prix that talks with team boss Christian Horner regarding Tsunoda have taken place.
The Japanese marque has expressed that it has been probing to see Tsunoda sample a Red Bull car – something which it has claimed that Horner has not dismissed.
“Regarding Tsunoda, our goal is for him to work hard and secure a seat at Red Bull Racing,” Honda Racing Corporation Koji Watanabe told Autosport.
“We believe he has the talent. Of course, driver decisions are ultimately up to the team.
“But as a partner we’ve strongly requested that Tsunoda be given the chance to drive and test in a Red Bull car.
“We want to at least give him the opportunity to showcase his ability.
“I’ve also spoken directly with Christian about this. He hasn’t ruled it out. Nothing has been decided yet, but I think we need to proceed properly.”
Marko hints at Red Bull test for Tsunoda
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has indicated that Tsunoda’s opportunity could arrive as soon as this season with an appearance at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Asked whether there was a chance Red Bull could accept Honda’s proposal, Marko replied: “We have some plans for Abu Dhabi, yes.
“But we have various drivers, you know. We have [Isack] Hadjar, for example, and now we have Liam [Lawson].”
Marko wouldn’t be drawn on more details, but Tsunoda could stand to get behind the wheel of Red Bull’s 2024 challenger, the RB20, in the post-season Pirelli tyre test.
The teams are required to run two cars in the annual post-season run-out, including one that holds an F1 Superlicense and can be used to sample Pirelli’s compounds.
In the circumstance where Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez skip the test at the Yas Marina Circuit, Tsunoda or RB team-mate Lawson would be poised to earn the gig.
But Tsunoda being chosen wouldn’t be a guarantee as Red Bull has implied that Lawson’s mid-season promotion has come to assess his credentials to replace Perez.
READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda: Liam Lawson will ‘spice’ up Red Bull F1 seat chase
