Racing Bulls sporting director Alan Permane has insisted that the team’s goal is to get Yuki Tsunoda a seat in Red Bull Racing after the Japanese driver missed out to Liam Lawson this year.
Tsunoda is now entering his fifth season in the Red Bull sister team. Despite consistently outperforming his teammates over the last two years, Red Bull decided to sign rookie driver Lawson instead of the Japanese driver.
Red Bull team chief Christian Horner has previously cast doubt over the 24-year-old’s future within the Red Bull family with an awkward “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” remark.
However, while speaking to the media, including Motorsport.com, Permane confirmed that the goal is to secure a seat in the top team for his experienced driver.
“I can already see from last year a step up in Yuki in terms of mentality and focus and feedback. He has already made a big step from last season, and having him help and mentor Isack, I think would be great.
“It’s also an opportunity for Yuki to show a different side as the experienced driver. My goal for Yuki and Yuki’s goal – they’re all aligned.
“We want to get him into the Red Bull seat, and if he performs well here, there’s no reason that he shouldn’t do that, but all we can do and I can do is help him perform as well as he can here, and if at the end of the season he’s done a good enough job to graduate, then everyone will be happy.”
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 02, Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
The Japanese driver is also still pushing for a seat in the Milton Keynes outfit. He confirmed to Motorsport.com:
“I still want that [Red Bull] seat at some point. But the decision they made – it’s up to them, not me.”
After his Red Bull snub, rumours have also begun linking Tsunoda to a move to Aston Martin in the future. Adding to this speculation is Honda’s move from Red Bull to the Silverstone outfit from 2026.
