Yuki Tsunoda will remain with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in 2025 after missing out on the second Red Bull seat.
The Japanese driver was under consideration to replace Sergio Perez after he confirmed his exit from the team after four years. Tsunoda tested with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi as part of his evaluation.
Despite getting his first outing with the team, the 24-year-old was snubbed of the second seat next to Max Verstappen, ultimately going to his Racing Bulls teammate Liam Lawson.
This is despite Tsunoda having more experience than the Kiwi driver – he has been with Racing Bulls since 2021 – and outqualified and outraced Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo in 2024, who was also tipped as an option to replace Perez at one point.
| 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 |
However, Christian Horner felt Lawson demonstrated ‘the right mindset’ for Red Bull in his 11 appearances in F1 so far and gave the 22-year-old the seat for 2025.
The move puts Tsunoda in an unhealthy position by his own words as he heads into next season with a lot of uncertainty surrounding him.
Yuki Tsunoda says it is not ‘healthy’ to get a one-year contract every season
Tsunoda signed a new contract with Racing Bulls for 2025 earlier in the year but had been targeting that Red Bull seat which eventually went to his teammate.
Tsunoda’s backing from Honda is said to be a key reason why he is being kept at Racing Bulls, as the Japanese manufacturer supply the team with their engines.
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Horner says Tsunoda is ‘more motivated than ever’ to prove him wrong about overlooking him for the Red Bull seat. But the Japanese driver also conceded that his situation for 2025 is not ‘healthy’ as he has only a one-year deal with Racing Bulls.
Asked about his future, Tsunoda told RacingNews365: “A lot depends on the contract I get. Of course I look at Red Bull and if I can’t get into Red Bull, that’s also the next step with this team. I then have a contract for one year, while many other drivers have a contract until 2027.
“I get a one-year contract every year,” he continues. “That’s not entirely ‘healthy’. If you get a one-year contract every time as a driver, you’re always struggling with that extra pressure. If I get offered another contract, that would be great. Then I can really focus on the project with this team.”
Yuki Tsunoda will be partnered with Isack Hadjar in 2025
With Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull, Racing Bulls had a seat next to Tsunoda available for 2025 – which they filled on Friday with Isack Hadjar.
The Frenchman completes the F1 grid for 2025 and comes to Racing Bulls off the back of an impressive Formula 2 season, winning four races – the most of any other driver.
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However, Hadjar lost the F2 title in heartbreaking fashion as he suffered a mechanical issue in the Feature Race in Abu Dhabi, handing the title to rival and now fellow F1 driver Gabriel Bortoleto.
The 20-year-old did display great speed and potential in 2024 and is a welcome addition to the F1 grid in 2025. But he will face strong competition from Tsunoda, who knows the team well and beat both his teammates this season.
Helmut Marko says Hadjar must control his emotions ahead of his F1 debut as he is known to be quite explosive over his radio – something he will need to block out as he must be focused on his assault in F1.
