Tsunoda deserves a seat at Red Bull according to Racing Bulls officials
The Japanese driver, twelfth in the championship, has had a convincing season, regularly beating team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. However, Red Bull doesn't seem to want to give him the second seat in the parent team. For Peter Bayer, his boss, this situation could be reversed if Tsunoda maintains his good performances.
As the Japanese driver started his fourth season with the Faenza team, the Racing Bulls team has decided to renew their trust in him by extending his contract for 2025. This renewal seems well deserved, as Tsunoda has been showing solid results this season, positioning himself as the team’s leader and regularly outperforming his experienced teammate, the Australian Daniel Ricciardo.
A context that did not convince Red Bull to offer him a seat next year, preferring initially to renew Sergio Perez’s contract for two years at the Canadian Grand Prix, before confirming him for the rest of the season just after the Belgian Grand Prix, despite his recent performances. However, if Perez continues to disappoint and costs Red Bull the constructors’ title in favor of McLaren, the situation could evolve in favor of Tsunoda. Racing Bulls boss Peter Bayer remains optimistic, believing that the Japanese driver could be considered for a seat at Red Bull in 2025.
« Helmut [Marko, Red Bull’s sports advisor] said it himself, in German, they say that one swallow does not make a spring. What this means is that if Yuki continues to perform at this level consistently, he will be considered for a seat at Red Bull Racing. It could also be an option to say, okay, we now think he is ready, he said to Autosport.
Tsunoda: A driver on the rise in 2024
Yuki Tsunoda displays a great determination this season, stating that he is ready to collaborate and challenge any of his future teammates, including the triple world champion Max Verstappen. With 22 points scored so far, he already surpasses his performance in 2023, where he had only collected 17 points. In 14 race weekends this year, he has entered the points seven times, demonstrating remarkable consistency and composure. Qualities that have also been highlighted by Laurent Mekies, team principal of Racing Bulls.
« A lot is expected from a young person between the first and second year, maybe between the second and third year. But such phenomenal progression is not expected between the third and fourth year, so – yes, he is quicker. Yes, he is calmer. Yes, he integrates better with the team, provides better feedback, and is probably happier. But seriously, he has been a benchmark in the way he exits the garage during Friday practice sessions – and, bam: from the first lap, he is there. »
A great determination that can open the doors to Red Bull
Impressed by his lightning progression between last season and this year, which he described as phenomenal, the Frenchman firmly believes in Tsunoda’s potential to become a future Red Bull driver, echoing the words of team boss Peter Bayer: “Yuki is a Red Bull driver. He must have the ambition to drive for Red Bull Racing. If he doesn’t, it’s a mistake.”
« I hope and trust that he wants more than anything to drive this car to win races. We also try to help him develop in this direction. According to what he tells us, he is super ambitious, he sees a team that is super ambitious, and the match obviously works. This helps him develop, and he has rewarded us with a pretty incredible level of performance.
With ten races remaining this season, Yuki Tsunoda’s future looks exciting. His strong performances could bring him closer to a seat within the Milton Keynes team, especially if Sergio Perez continues to disappoint. Although the Japanese driver has already extended his contract with Racing Bulls, Red Bull has a reputation for not always respecting its drivers’ contracts, which could ultimately work in favor of the young Japanese driver.
