Yuki Tsunoda is heading into the final round of the Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, knocking on the door of the Red Bull team.
The Japanese driver has improved drastically over his time at the highest level since making his debut in 2021 at AlphaTauri alongside Pierre Gasly.
Tsunoda has cut out a lot of mistakes that plagued his early career and scored points in six of the opening eight races this year while his then-teammate Daniel Ricciardo struggled at RB.
The Japanese driver was consistently quicker than Ricciardo and also beat Nyck de Vries during the first half of the 2023 season.
Tsunoda may be stepping up to the main Red Bull team for next season if the Austrian outfit decides to part ways with the underperforming Sergio Perez.
Despite some impressive performances at RB, former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya explains that one particular thing will decide his future at Red Bull.
The ‘million-dollar question’ is giving Yuki Tsunoda a race-winning car
Tsunoda has been impressive at RB this season and scored points recently and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The good form continued in Las Vegas to keep the Italian team’s slim hopes of sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship alive.
The Japanese driver has also calmed down behind the wheel and is much less chaotic on the radio than his earlier career where he was easily frustrated.
He hasn’t yet been given a car to compete at the front of the field, which requires a different pressure from the midfield as the cars are so competitive.
READ MORE: Formula 1 paddock believes RB may sign Yuki Tsunoda ‘2.0’ if they have a free seat for 2025
He has links to Honda, which will supply Aston Martin with a works engine in 2026, which could provide an option away from Red Bull.
Montoya explains that Tsunoda has done a good job at RB, but stepping up to Red Bull and competing alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen is a much more difficult prospect.
The Colombian said on the AS Colombia YouTube channel: “I personally believe Tsunoda could be a person who could replace Fernando Alonso because of Honda.
“That’s why it’s a complicated side to see because with Honda, they are obviously going to want a Japanese driver, and Yuki has done a good job and endured everything around Red Bull.
“The million-dollar question is when they put him in a competitive car to win races, Yuki has done a good job but he is not racing Max in the same car.”
Yuki Tsunoda would be a risk for Red Bull despite being part of the programme
Tsunoda is competing with his RB teammate Liam Lawson for the drive, who has driven well since he stepped in for Ricciardo at the United States Grand Prix.
The Japanese driver has much more experience than his teammate although Montoya has doubts over both Lawson and Tsunoda.
Verstappen has comfortably beaten his teammates in recent years and sets such a high standard that has led the Dutchman to four consecutive world titles.
Tsunoda competing with the 27-year-old would be a challenge and he may struggle with the relentless pressure of aiming to win races due to it being a new environment.
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