Red Bull might have snubbed Yuki Tsunoda for a promotion next year, but the Japanese driver is lucky to be on the F1 grid after a key intervention by one of his main sponsors.
Yuki Tsunoda could be described as a fast but inconsistent driver since his debut in 2021 but has largely remained in F1 by virtue of it being easier to calm a quick driver instead of making a slow one faster.
After being handed an uncompetitive car at the start of 2023, he has turned out to be one of the standout drivers on the grid. He’s scored the majority of RB’s 28 points in the Constructors’ Championship, having out-performed seasoned race winner Daniel Ricciardo.
RB team principal, Laurent Mekies, described his step up this season as “simply phenomenal” when they announced his renewal at the Canadian Grand Prix in the team’s official press release.
Despite his form picking up, Red Bull was prepared to make a switch following the impressive debut of Liam Lawson midway through the 2023 season.
The Red Bull ‘sweetener’ that saved Yuki Tsunoda
Speaking on The Race podcast, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm revealed that the Japanese driver was saved from any switch taking place due to a ‘sweetener’ that was handed to Red Bull.
“It’s tied to whether or not Tsunoda’s place can be saved without Honda being there. For his seat in 2024, Honda was absolutely critical for that because they [RB] were set on keeping Ricciardo for a full season. Lawson did such a good job as a stand-in that Marko got excited about putting him in full-time,” said Mitchell-Malm.
“Honda then came in at the last minute and upped the financial contribution they made to have Tsunoda in the seat. So he got into the seat in the first place by virtue of being a Red Bull Junior and Honda driver. His performances were not completely convincing early on, but that Honda backing helped keep him in. Since then his performances merit that seat, he just comes with a nice ‘sweetener’ from Honda.
“Then Red Bull was able to get an even bigger sweetener from Honda because there were other drivers in the mix. The reason Tsunoda has been confirmed now is because the there is interest from other teams and they had the option to take up, and he is hands-down after Verstappen the second-best Red Bull driver on the grid at the moment. Beyond 2025, when there is not that kicker from Honda, they might need Tsunoda on performance terms.”
Could Yuki Tsunoda make a switch in the future?
Although Yuki Tsunoda will continue to race at the Red Bull sister team for the 2025 season, there are questions beyond that for the Japanese driver.
He has previously been open to the possibility of joining Aston Martin for 2026 in time with their engine partnership with Honda. It would be the first time that the Silverstone-based outfit has not used Mercedes engines, with Honda committed to producing a power unit for the 2026 regulations.
As it stands, Red Bull have control over where he will end up and with Lawson waiting for a seat they might be willing to release the Japanese driver in the future if they receive the right offer.
Any future move might also depend on whether Lance Stroll decides to stay at Aston Martin, given questions over his ‘hunger’ to stay in F1 and whether he wants to continue with his media obligations.
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