Marko and Tsunoda contradict each other: What is going on at Red Bull?
General
- Ludo van Denderen
Helmut Marko left no doubt about it during an interview with an Austrian newspaper: Yuki Tsunoda is also stuck with Visa Cash App RB in '25. A few hours later, the Japanese was a lot less outspoken. Tsunoda revealed that no decision on his future had been made at all and there was even interest from other teams. What is going on between the frontman of Red Bull Racing's sister team and the Red Bull teams' advisor?
When Sergio Perez extended his contract at Red Bull last week, it was once again clear to Tsunoda what he had obviously known for some time. The Austrians do not see in him a candidate alongside Max Verstappen; not now, not next year and not in the further future. Why this is the case remains a great mystery. The Japanese, affiliated with Honda, is performing fine (especially compared to teammate Daniel Ricciardo) yet there are apparently doubts about his qualities.
Tsunoda not on top teams' radar
So within the Red Bull family, VCARB is Tsunoda's ceiling and fair is fair; why would he leave the Italian squad? McLaren and Ferrari have two drivers locked in for the next two seasons, while Mercedes have their own talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the line for the seat next to George Russell. Aston Martin - from '26 driving with a Honda power unit - would have been a logical option, but that team is also full for the short term. Any other team is a step down from VCARB for Tsunoda at the moment.
That Tsunoda is looking around anyway will (besides the financial component) have to do with the potential of a possible new employer. The Japanese is rumoured with Alpine and Audi, two factory teams with, in principle, the means to advance to the top of the grid. Probably not attractive in the short term, but certainly attractive in the longer term. Whether Alpine and Audi actually reach the top remains to be seen, VCARB's chances of making it to the front of the grid are a lot lower.
Red Bull want to make money out of Tsunoda
Helmut Marko and Red Bull have no doubt also caught on to the fact that Tsunoda is on competitors' lists. Calling out now that the Japanese is also tied up with VCARB in '25 is probably a tactic to get some more money for him. In the past, for example, Red Bull did not see a future in Pierre Gasly, but lighted an option to keep him under contract for longer. Before Alpine could acquire Gasly, a buyout fee had to be paid.
With the prospect of Tsunoda never joining Red Bull Racing and if a financial compensation is paid for him, Marko will not mind at all if Tsunoda leaves after this season. Therefore, the advisor's statement that Tsunoda will be under contract for at least another year seems to be mainly one addressed to the competition.