The Official F1 2025 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Muzzer79 said:
hondajack85 said:
Why do we keep getting this Yuki has to find another drive guff?
Perhaps because Red Bull have tacitly said that he was brought in because of Honda and have then openly said that being as he wasn't chosen to replace Perez, he will need to move on to allow someone else into RB.And Honda have said he's (Tsunoda) on his own.
I suspect RB won't keep anyone that Marko didn't choose in the first place, and was lumped with as part of the Honda deal.
In fairness he has improved during his time in F1, but I don't see him getting a drive at another team. He's Honda's man, they'll insert him somewhere else in the world of motorsport/marketing - probably NASCAR in order to support their desired entry there. They would love to put him in the AMR next season I'm sure, but they don't (won't, whatever happens RE Max and Alonso) have a seat spare or a b-team to accommodate him.
In fairness he has improved during his time in F1, but I don't see him getting a drive at another team. He's Honda's man, they'll insert him somewhere else in the world of motorsport/marketing - probably NASCAR in order to support their desired entry there. They would love to put him in the AMR next season I'm sure, but they don't (won't, whatever happens RE Max and Alonso) have a seat spare or a b-team to accommodate him.
White-Noise said:
I'd love to see yuki in nascar!
Given how ranty some NASCAR drivers are, it would be hilarious to watch (assuming he could see over the bonnet 
)Meanwhile, s
tty clickbait "news" site claims shock that "Verstappen told he'll be leaving RB at the end of the season"........Except it's actually a quote from an interview with Zak Brown where he says he can see MV possibly moving to Merc if RB continues to struggle this season.
https://www.sportbible.com/f1/max-verstappen-red-b...
Clickbait gonna clickbait
TheDeuce said:
In fairness he has improved during his time in F1, but I don't see him getting a drive at another team. He's Honda's man, they'll insert him somewhere else in the world of motorsport/marketing - probably NASCAR in order to support their desired entry there.
What makes you think that? NASCAR is so unique and specialized handling a 1.5 ton car with narrow tyres round ovals and not even Toyota dump a load of Japanese drivers into NASCAR.entropy said:
TheDeuce said:
In fairness he has improved during his time in F1, but I don't see him getting a drive at another team. He's Honda's man, they'll insert him somewhere else in the world of motorsport/marketing - probably NASCAR in order to support their desired entry there.
What makes you think that? NASCAR is so unique and specialized handling a 1.5 ton car with narrow tyres round ovals and not even Toyota dump a load of Japanese drivers into NASCAR.Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
TheDeuce said:
entropy said:
TheDeuce said:
In fairness he has improved during his time in F1, but I don't see him getting a drive at another team. He's Honda's man, they'll insert him somewhere else in the world of motorsport/marketing - probably NASCAR in order to support their desired entry there.
What makes you think that? NASCAR is so unique and specialized handling a 1.5 ton car with narrow tyres round ovals and not even Toyota dump a load of Japanese drivers into NASCAR.Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/yuki-tsunoda-honda-w...
Honda said:
He [Tsunoda] needs to take action himself
I want him to make the best choices for himself.
He’s now in his fifth year, has the ability, and understands the world of F1 well.
There’s not much more we can do for him. He needs to solidify his support team, including his manager, and secure the necessary seat. He is a professional, after all.
Drivers can’t rely on Honda forever. Someone of Tsunoda’s career level needs to think for himself.
Tsunoda has a sponsorship agreement with us. He is fundamentally an independent driver, but we support him as a sponsor
I read this as "we'll help you a bit if we can, but you're on your own"I want him to make the best choices for himself.
He’s now in his fifth year, has the ability, and understands the world of F1 well.
There’s not much more we can do for him. He needs to solidify his support team, including his manager, and secure the necessary seat. He is a professional, after all.
Drivers can’t rely on Honda forever. Someone of Tsunoda’s career level needs to think for himself.
Tsunoda has a sponsorship agreement with us. He is fundamentally an independent driver, but we support him as a sponsor
TheDeuce said:
Honda want a NASCAR team, I don't know why... Presumably to bump sales in the USA.
Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
A Japanese NASCAR team winning with a Japanese driver might not go down to well with the MAGA bunch. Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
PRO5T said:
George Russel keeps getting photographed with team principles that aren't Toto Wolf 
Wonder if that's because he is the only top driver without a deal for 26.With Toto's fawning over Max would be unwise for George to not see if there are other options incase he is blind sided.
Leithen said:
TheDeuce said:
Honda want a NASCAR team, I don't know why... Presumably to bump sales in the USA.
Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
A Japanese NASCAR team winning with a Japanese driver might not go down to well with the MAGA bunch. Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
tuation because of Trump trying to invade the country... And he loves NASCAR, and he hates Japan. And Honda are (maybe 'were') supposedly aiming at buying a NASCAR team for 2026.Who knows what will happen, all a bit of a mess at the moment. But if Honda can't join NASCAR fully as they appear to wish too, they can at least get a Honda driver there and plaster him and his car in Honda sponsorship.
It might not happen, but I think it's more likely he'll be doing that than remaining in F1 after this season. There are several other series he could go to with/without Honda attachment too, of course.
SmoothCriminal said:
PRO5T said:
George Russel keeps getting photographed with team principles that aren't Toto Wolf
Wonder if that's because he is the only top driver without a deal for 26.With Toto's fawning over Max would be unwise for George to not see if there are other options incase he is blind sided.
He’s got that “always on” media presence about him.
Leithen said:
TheDeuce said:
Honda want a NASCAR team, I don't know why... Presumably to bump sales in the USA.
Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
A Japanese NASCAR team winning with a Japanese driver might not go down to well with the MAGA bunch. Yuki can't go to their new F1 team customer so it's possible they'll like to have him in NASCAR instead, no doubt carrying Honda sponsorship even if not actually in a Honda team car - I'm not sure how their entry bid is going.
It wouldn't be a single team. It doesn't work that way in NASCAR; with 40 cars racing every week. You need multiple teams to pool data.
I think people are ignorant and disrespectful to NASCAR. It's a specialized and regional sport. NASCAR has enough problems with pay drivers and rich daddies, Yuki would have to stand out at Watkins Glen COTA to get an idea of peddling a NASCAR.
Toyota have been embraced by NASCAR fans. The narrative isn't just selling cars they support the US and its economy providing jobs
.
entropy said:
It would most likely be Honda America running show as with Acura in IMSA and just as TRD - American sporting arm of Toyota - is running the NASCAR program.
It wouldn't be a single team. It doesn't work that way in NASCAR; with 40 cars racing every week. You need multiple teams to pool data.
I think people are ignorant and disrespectful to NASCAR. It's a specialized and regional sport. NASCAR has enough problems with pay drivers and rich daddies, Yuki would have to stand out at Watkins Glen COTA to get an idea of peddling a NASCAR.
Toyota have been embraced by NASCAR fans. The narrative isn't just selling cars they support the US and its economy providing jobs
.
Fair comment, although I suspect they'd want a US driver behind the wheel. I went to the '97 Daytona 500 and the Gatorade 125's earlier in the week. Fans were very welcoming, and we were surrounded by teamster families. Great fun, especially when Earnhardt wrecked, and drove the remains back to the pits in front of us. The winner got a mixed reception.It wouldn't be a single team. It doesn't work that way in NASCAR; with 40 cars racing every week. You need multiple teams to pool data.
I think people are ignorant and disrespectful to NASCAR. It's a specialized and regional sport. NASCAR has enough problems with pay drivers and rich daddies, Yuki would have to stand out at Watkins Glen COTA to get an idea of peddling a NASCAR.
Toyota have been embraced by NASCAR fans. The narrative isn't just selling cars they support the US and its economy providing jobs
.
SmoothCriminal said:
PRO5T said:
George Russel keeps getting photographed with team principles that aren't Toto Wolf
Wonder if that's because he is the only top driver without a deal for 26.With Toto's fawning over Max would be unwise for George to not see if there are other options incase he is blind sided.
I can’t see Max to Mercedes personally, just don’t think it’s the right ‘fit’ for team and driver, but can absolutely see Toto playing games with Horny and Marko by getting them to think it’s a possibility, and the RB management know that Toto has the means at his disposal to actually write the cheque.
Sandpit Steve said:
They all saw what happened to Carlos last year, and don’t want to find themselves in a similar position if we again get a big round of musical chairs in the silly season.
I can’t see Max to Mercedes personally, just don’t think it’s the right ‘fit’ for team and driver, but can absolutely see Toto playing games with Horny and Marko by getting them to think it’s a possibility, and the RB management know that Toto has the means at his disposal to actually write the cheque.
If George keeps up his form they won't need Max. I thought that George would fare well against Lewis, and he did. Good luck to him going forward, as he has done a great job so far - barring his personality of course! I can’t see Max to Mercedes personally, just don’t think it’s the right ‘fit’ for team and driver, but can absolutely see Toto playing games with Horny and Marko by getting them to think it’s a possibility, and the RB management know that Toto has the means at his disposal to actually write the cheque.
Autosport: “Red Bull considers immediate swap of Lawson and Tsunoda for Japanese GP”
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/red-bull-conside...
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/red-bull-conside...
I maybe overthinking this - but Perez has just posted a KitKat advert (featuring him) about taking a break (take a break, have a KitKat).
Cadillac? Lawson is probably helping his stock price too when his manager can say "he knows the inner workings of a top team, that car was always undriveable"
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdRNmwEv/
Cadillac? Lawson is probably helping his stock price too when his manager can say "he knows the inner workings of a top team, that car was always undriveable"
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdRNmwEv/
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