Is Tsunoda in-line for a promotion to Red Bull? 'He's a candidate'

Helmut Marko has stated that Yuki Tsunoda remains a candidate for the seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull. The Japanese driver has seemingly been overlooked but Marko confirms a promotion is still on the cards for as early as the 2025 season.

Tsunoda is about to complete his fourth season in Formula 1. All four years have been at Red Bull's sister team. The Japanese got a contract extension at Visa Cash App RB earlier this year, while Sergio Perez was told he could continue as Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull. Tsunoda outperformed his teammate Daniel Ricciardo in 2024, and from the United States Grand Prix onwards, he will race alongside Liam Lawson. Marko confirmed that Red Bull wants to compare the performances of the two drivers.

"Tsunoda is a candidate to drive alongside Max in 2025. The remaining races this season will determine what our driver duos will look like next year," Marko said in a conversation with F1-Insider.com. Earlier, the Red Bull advisor revealed that in an "ideal situation" a driver from the in-house junior programme will drive alongside Verstappen next year.

"We decided to compare Lawson and Tsunoda. They have the same material, the same conditions and now they each have six races to prove that he is the better driver," said Marko, adding to the pressure on Sergio Perez. The Mexican has a contract with the Austrian team for next year, but as such has no guarantee of actually retaining his seat next to Verstappen.