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No promotion for Tsunoda: This is how the Japanese reacted to the news
- Ludo van Denderen
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