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🚨🚨| HRC President Koji Watanabe clarified his latest statement about Honda and Yuki's collaboration: This was the last statement: "Tsunoda is not a Honda driver, but is basically an independent driver. On top of that, Honda has a sponsorship contract with Tsunoda. He is already in his fifth season in F1, and is a driver with plenty of experience, so he is independent." - clarified from Watanabe: "Basically, a contract only exists between a driver and a team. That's why I said it was a 'sponsorship contract,' but it may have been a bit misleading. The reason is that Tsunoda's case is a bit complicated, because he was a development driver for Honda and Red Bull, so Honda and Red Bull first discussed which team he should race for in F1. Once both parties agreed, the team he was attached to (AlphaTauri at the time) would then sign a contract with him (Tsunoda). Therefore, from the time he stepped up to F1 until this season, Honda has been in constant discussion with Red Bull. At the press conference on March 4th, I was asked, 'What is the status of the contract between Honda and Tsunoda?' and I had no choice but to answer that way." "Regarding the seat from 2026 onwards, the team we can discuss with is Aston Martin, not Red Bull. However, the important thing is what Tsunoda himself wants to do. If Tsunoda wants to remain with Red Bull, Honda cannot support him beyond 2026. However, Tsunoda is a driver with plenty of experience and is independent, so I believe he can forge his own path. That is why my answer at the press conference on March 4th was to mean that we have no intention of interfering with the choice he has made. If he wants to come to Aston Martin, and if a story can be drawn that objectively supports Tsunoda going to Aston Martin, Honda would also like to support him." "Yes, as far as I know, 2026 (seats for Aston) is fixed. However, I hope that in the future, a driver trained by Honda will drive for Aston Martin." #YT22 #F1 #f1jp