Tsunoda seeks to steer clear of being dropped by Red Bull after 2025.

Tsunoda seeks to steer clear of being dropped by Red Bull after 2025.

      Yuki Tsunoda has expressed his desire to stay "within the Red Bull family" even after the 2025 season. Despite showcasing good speed, maintaining a more composed attitude, and having four seasons of experience with the Faenza-based junior team, Red Bull opted to promote rookie Liam Lawson as the new teammate for Max Verstappen in 2025.

      In the final days of 2024, Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, strongly suggested that 2025 might be Tsunoda’s final year with the energy drink-owned team. "You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years," he remarked. "You can’t always be the bridesmaid. At that point, you either have to let him go or consider other options."

      The phrase "let him go" could relate to rumors suggesting that Tsunoda's backer, Honda, might want him at Aston Martin next year. However, a spokesman for Aston Martin has clarified that both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are securely contracted for 2025 and 2026. This could potentially leave Tsunoda out of Formula 1 after this season.

      "We’ll see," Tsunoda said as the new season approaches. "Like every season, it depends on my performance. But I would like to stay in the Red Bull family." He added that he wasn't particularly shocked or disappointed by Red Bull's decision to sign Lawson instead of him. "I’ve pretty much parked last year’s events in my mind," he stated. "When the announcement was made, I didn’t feel overly angry or upset. I just need to focus on my own performance, as there are aspects beyond my control. I’ll concentrate on improving myself."

      Regarding Horner’s suggestion that five years with the junior team—now named Racing Bulls—might be excessive, Tsunoda responded with a smile: "Perhaps our team will change its name again next year, making it a different team. Let's see; it depends on my performance. Ideally, I'd like to stay within this Red Bull family. If it’s Red Bull Racing, that would be fantastic, but I would still love to be part of this section of the team. The support I receive from them means a lot to me. Whatever the outcome, there could be some intriguing opportunities."

      Some perceive the role next to Verstappen as challenging since the four-time world champion is clearly the leading driver. "The objective is to win the constructors’ title," said Lawson when asked about his responsibilities for 2025. "That clearly didn’t happen last year. For me, my role is fulfilled when we are in contention for the constructors’ title. That’s the primary goal and what is expected of me, regardless of my personal aspirations in Formula 1."

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Tsunoda seeks to steer clear of being dropped by Red Bull after 2025.

Formula 1 | Yuki Tsunoda expresses his desire to stay within the Red Bull family past the 2025 season. Despite showcasing his speed, exhibiting a more composed attitude, and having four seasons of (…)