Yuki Tsunoda has expressed concerns about his future with Red Bull, admitting he cannot continue “relying” on the team amid growing uncertainty over their 2025 driver line-up. The 24-year-old Japanese driver has acknowledged the unclear situation surrounding Red Bull’s intentions, particularly regarding the underperformance of Sergio Perez. Despite his consistent performance, Tsunoda is aware that even if Perez is replaced, Liam Lawson, the 22-year-old reserve driver, is likely to be chosen as Max Verstappen’s teammate over him, despite Tsunoda having more experience and out-performing Lawson.
This situation leaves Tsunoda unsure of his standing within the team and what the future might hold. The uncertainty is further compounded by Honda’s decision to leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin at the end of the 2024 season, which raises questions about the financial and technical backing Tsunoda has received from Honda. Tsunoda has been supported by the Japanese manufacturer, but with their departure, he is unsure how his relationship with Red Bull will evolve.
When asked about his future, Tsunoda told media, including RacingNews365, that the situation is unclear: “To be honest, it’s not really clear,” he stated, reflecting his confusion about the team’s plans. He added, “I could be in the 2026 VCARB [RB] as well… to be honest, I’m not really clear [on] what they want, but as a driver, I can’t just keep relying on them, especially, [as there has] been a lot of talk going on.” Tsunoda admitted that while it’s always good to have options, he is not actively seeking alternatives at the moment. “It’s not that I’m in a really bad situation right now,” he said but emphasized that much depends on the car he drives next year and how his performance unfolds throughout the season.
