'Nothing has altered' regarding Tsunoda's future - Marko
"The objective is for him to complete the season."
Amid growing speculation about Max Verstappen’s future, Dr. Helmut Marko acknowledges that Yuki Tsunoda is also in a pivotal phase of his Formula 1 career. After being elevated to the main team with Honda’s support following Liam Lawson’s unsuccessful stint, the Japanese racer reached a new low in Austria last weekend. Nonetheless, Red Bull is committed to Tsunoda for 2025.
"I definitely sense the support, now more than ever, from Christian (Horner) and Helmut," he stated on Thursday. "I traveled to the south of the UK with a Red Bull physio to reset myself, and that initiative was from them," Tsunoda continued. "They just wanted me to get some fresh air and everything."
Marko, however, seems to prefer not to put rookies Isack Hadjar or Arvid Lindblad in a similar position at least for this season. "The plan is for him to finish the season," Marko reiterated to Kleine Zeitung. "Nothing has changed regarding that," he added. "We don’t have any alternatives. We've discussed it with him and the engineering team since he was completely out of sorts in Spielberg. We aim to stabilize him and avoid setting up the car as harshly as Max’s, which could benefit him."
Looking ahead to 2026, regardless of what happens with Verstappen, promising Racing Bulls rookie Hadjar is anticipated to be promoted. "I have no idea what's happening there," the French-Algerian mentioned at Silverstone. "All I can say is that Yuki is incredibly fast." When asked if he would perform better than the 25-year-old, Hadjar replied, "I have no idea. But I would love to sit in the car and test it myself. I feel mentally ready. That’s my advantage. The only question is whether I possess the necessary skills. Unfortunately, I can't confirm that yet."
Some speculate that Carlos Sainz would be a more suitable candidate for Red Bull, despite the Spaniard—former teammate of Verstappen—being under contract with Williams. "They just seem like rumors," Sainz affirmed on Thursday. "Williams is aware of my commitment, and I will remain with them if circumstances permit. I have full confidence in my decision."
It is believed that Aston Martin—set to collaborate with Honda from 2026—has no plans to take on Tsunoda next year, although he is being associated with Cadillac. Mick Schumacher is also rumored to be linked with the new team in 2026, with Bild reporting that the former Haas driver has appointed a new manager, Dirk Muller. "Dirk is mainly my advisor," Schumacher, who was present in the paddock in Austria the previous week, said. "But he obviously has extensive experience in motorsport."
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