No promotion for Tsunoda: This is how the Japanese reacted to the news
Yuki Tsunoda has said for months that he is ready for the move to Red Bull Racing. But at the end of the day, the Japanese remains at Racing Bulls, while his more inexperienced teammate, Liam Lawson, makes the move to Red Bull Racing and becomes Max Verstappen's new teammate, much to Tsunoda's disappointment.
In the end, it was Helmut Marko and Christian Horner who decided Tsunoda had to stay with Red Bull Racing's sister team. Once that decision was made, Marko personally briefed the Japanese driver.
This was not done face-to-face, Marko told F1-Insider. "He is currently in Japan and I spoke to him on the phone. He took the news relatively calmly. I told him to keep pushing at the Racing Bulls and then we'll see. He responded positively."
Tsunoda has expiring contract
Tsunoda will enter his fifth season at Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri and Visa Cash App RB) in 2025. The Japanese driver's contract reportedly expires after next season. Tsunoda is a protégé of Honda, the engine supplier that is also parting ways with Red Bull teams after next year.
This article has been written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica
With Alonso set ton have 2026 as his last year in F1. Yuki to AM in 2027 is certainly on the cards . Stroll + Yuki will become a reality. With Vcarb they will have a new PU in 2026 and Yuki would get the boot for sure at that point ?. He is the best driver next to Max currently and he doesn't get the opportunity so that's telling ? RedBull are RedBull
"I told him to keep pushing at the Racing Bulls and then we'll see." More BS. If they were ever going to take him, they'd have done it now. Empty hope the push on Tsunoda. Tsunoda has done his pushing, he's done his time there. Honestly, if Lawson doesn't perform, Red Bull will deserve to lose another constructors. So now, I don't want him (Lawson) to do badly but I hope he does because it's RB. It's a paradox I know. But once you go to Red Bull, I can't support you or root for you unless you're beating Max. And yes that would have applied to Lewis if he went there.
Will Honda pull some weight and get Yuki the seat at AM? Get Lawrence to think like a true businessman and do what is best for his company instead of favouring a driver who is clearly not up to the required level of being in the F1 field presently. Yuki will definitely be an 'upgrade' to have compared to Lance. A driver that thinks that taking a shortcut across a gravel trap is a good idea, definitely hasnt got the intelligence to be an F1 driver!
Another dumb Red Bull decision. Lawson is not nearly as good as Gasly and Albon were when they joined the team. I give him 10 races before he will be replaced. Another career will be destroyed. Yuki should seek a new team asap.
Yuki will follow the engine, Honda like to have a Japanese driver onboard
Aston Martin in 2026 as test driver I guess. Or he will stick to VCARB.
Yeah, he's not getting into the RB...... Stroll might get punted if Honda push for him.
More likely they push Alonso into retirement given his age. Though he may be looking forward to driving a Newey car, I don’t think he is prime Alonso anymore.
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