Half of the current crop of Formula 1 drivers are still working hard behind the scenes to secure their place on the grid in 2025.
However, rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman and Liam Lawson are all expected to earn promotions next year, meaning some current drivers will have to miss out.
Speaking on the Unlapped Podcast, journalist Nate Saunders has shared one rumour he’s heard in the paddock that could see a driver take a step back in 2025.
It’s not unheard of for some F1 drivers to take a year out – voluntarily or not – and then return to the grid.
Fernando Alonso spent two seasons racing in IndyCar before coming back to Alpine while Haas pair Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg have spent spells on the sidelines.
There’s now a suggestion that Yuki Tsunoda could potentially become Aston Martin’s reserve driver for 2025.
He’s been brilliant for RB this season, but his long-term future within the Red Bull group doesn’t look particularly positive and he might have another reason to join the British manufacturer.
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Yuki Tsunoda could become Aston Martin reserve driver in 2025
There’s a clear divide between the top five and the bottom five teams on the grid this season.
However, the man who has bridged the gap in the Drivers’ Championship is Yuki Tsunoda.
He’s currently sitting in the top ten of the standings ahead of current Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll.
Unfortunately for Tsunoda, despite Sergio Perez being out of contract at the end of the year, the £15,000-a-week driver doesn’t appear to be in the conversation to replace him.
Tsunoda’s contract also expires in 2024 and he faces the prospect of a fifth season driving for RB.
Liam Lawson is understood to have been promised a seat on the grid next year meaning someone has to move on.
While Tsunoda has outperformed teammate Daniel Ricciardo, he could end up being Aston Martin’s reserve driver next year with the view of driving for them in 2026.
Given Fernando Alonso is already signed up for the next few years, it means the team might finally be considering dropping Stroll despite his father’s position in the team.
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Talking about Tsunoda’s future, Saunders said: “It’s hard to see where he could go that would be big enough for the form he’s showing and I think this is one of the interesting parts of this silly season.
“In an ideal world, there would be a seat free at the team that’s about to take Honda engines which is Aston Martin.
“Of course, Aston Martin have signed Fernando Alonso and I feel like that [Lance] Stroll seat would have been perfect for him.
“And I did hear a whisper, a rumour, in Miami that one scenario that might play out and again this is someone that was speculating based on a couple of things they may have heard and some things that may be up in the air.
“Maybe we get to see Tsunoda go to Aston Martin next year but as reserve driver and then potentially be in position for 2026.
“That would be pretty underwhelming, to be honest, it would be great in terms of where it could put him down the line.
“I have heard that he’s a bit reluctant to just be labelled as the Honda guy but it does seem to be the best opportunity for him to break out.”
Honda could be the key to Yuki Tsunoda’s future
It would be very underwhelming for Tsunoda If he becomes the reserve driver for Aston Martin in 2025.
He’s driving well enough to not only be on the grid next year but potentially at a better team than RB.
The Japanese driver isn’t a direct replacement for Alonso but would be an obvious upgrade on Lance Stroll.
He’s in his eighth season in Formula 1 but still looks like he needs to improve significantly if Aston Martin want to be a top team.
Tsunoda has been backed by Honda throughout his career and they become Aston Martin’s exclusive power unit provided in 2026.
Their partnership has worked brilliantly within the Red Bull group and could continue beyond the end of next season.
The post ‘Did hear a whisper’: £15k-a-week star could become reserve driver next year to clinch 2026 seat – journalist appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
