After Sergio Perez was sacked by Red Bull at the end of 2024, many would have expected Yuki Tsunoda to be his successor.
The Japanese driver has been with the second team Racing Bulls – formerly AlphaTauri – since 2021. Last year, Tsunoda enjoyed a solid season with 12th in the standings and 30 points.
The 24-year-old had a clear advantage over teammate Daniel Ricciardo before he was dismissed after the Singapore Grand Prix. Liam Lawson replaced the Aussie and was also beaten by Tsunoda – but matched a lot closer to his pace.
| Category | Yuki Tsunoda | Liam Lawson |
| 2024 points | 8 | 4 |
| Grand Prix results | 4 | 2 |
| Grand Prix qualifying | 6 | 0 |
| Grand Prix wins | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Prix poles | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Prix podiums | 0 | 0 |
| Best finish | 7th | 9th |
| Retirements | 1 | 0 |
| Retirements (classified finish) | 0 | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Prix points finishes | 2 | 2 |
| Sprint results | 0 | 3 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 0 | 3 |
| Sprint wins | 0 | 0 |
| Sprint poles | 0 | 0 |
| Sprint podiums | 0 | 0 |
Given his experience, the Japanese driver would have been considered the favourite to partner with Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2025. However, the Milton Keynes-based outfit opted to sign Lawson.
The Red Bull hierarchy were impressed by the 23-year-old’s performances in 2023 and 2024 and gave him the nod for 2025 to partner the four-time defending champion. Tsunoda is Red Bull’s last resort if Lawson struggles but it is unlikely he will land the seat full-time.
Now faced with a fifth season at Racing Bulls alongside Isack Hadjar this year, the Japanese driver’s future in the sport is unknown. With his contract up in 2025, Tsunoda will ‘most likely’ be off the grid in 2026 as Aston Martin’s reserve driver – his main backers Honda will supply the team’s engines come next year.
Helmut Marko says Yuki Tsunoda’s ‘completely unnecessary’ crashes in Mexico denied him 2025 Red Bull seat
Karun Chandhok has told Cadillac to consider Tsunoda for 2026 as they search for their first two drivers when they join the sport next year. With Lawson taking Perez’s seat, the Japanese driver’s future is not with the Red Bull family.
Many have questioned why Tsunoda was denied the second seat at Red Bull. Chief advisor Helmut Marko pinpointed to Auto Motor und Sport his ‘completely unnecessary’ crashes at the Mexico City Grand Prix during the team’s decision-making process.
The 24-year-old crashed at turn 12 in Q2 – bringing out the red flag – and was wiped out at the first corner at the start of the race. Marko says Tsunoda already had some idea he was in contention for the Red Bull seat – and his crashes in Mexico proved pressure can get to him.
“Tsunoda has his outbursts,” he said. “They’ve improved, but they haven’t completely disappeared. Last year in Mexico, as the decision-making process drew closer, he had two completely unnecessary accidents.
READ MORE: Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda’s life outside F1 from height to parents
“But he knew that the question was already at stake as to who would get the seat at Red Bull. That means he’s still prone to making mistakes under pressure. In terms of speed, he’s undoubtedly suitable.
“But racing against Max always means pressure. He goes out on a wet track and is immediately fast. Everyone else is still warming up. As Max’s teammate, you have to be able to handle that. And if that’s not the case, it’s difficult.
“For Lawson, it’s already full steam ahead. He doesn’t know the track in Melbourne or the one in Shanghai. China is also a sprint weekend, where you only have one practice session to set up the car. And that’s not so easy with our car.”
How Arvid Lindblad could replace Yuki Tsunoda in 2025
With Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull looking bleak, the team may have already lined up his replacement. Arvid Lindblad has obtained enough superlicense points to – in theory – make his F1 debut in 2025.
The Brit will race in F2 in 2025 and is seemingly the favourite to race for Racing Bulls in 2026. But team boss Laurent Mekies says F2 is ‘the goal’ for Lindblad before giving him track time in F1.
There is also the issue of Lindblad not being old enough to get a superlicense – he turns 18 in September. Marko states that Red Bull are applying for an exemption like Kimi Antonelli was granted at Mercedes.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad including his parents
Red Bull are preparing Lindblad for a reserve role alongside his F2 duties. If any of the team’s four drivers are unable to compete in a Grand Prix this year, Marko says Ayumu Iwasa or Lindblad will step up.
Asked what would happen if a Red Bull driver got injured in 2026, the Austrian replied: “Then we have Ayumu Iwasa as our reserve driver. Lindblad has the points for the super license. We also completed a 300-kilometer test with him in a Formula 1 car at Imola, so he could theoretically step in.
“But he doesn’t turn 18 until September. That’s why we’re currently applying to the FIA for an exemption for the super license. Antonelli got it, too. We see no reason why the same shouldn’t be true for Lindblad. Then we’d already have two drivers on the bench.”
