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Laurence Edmondson, F1 Editor
MONTREAL, Canada — Yuki Tsunoda will stay at RB in 2025 after Red Bull’s junior team confirmed it had taken up an option to retain the Japanese driver for another season.
Tsunoda has made a strong start to the 2024 season, scoring 19 points in the first eight races, and appeared to be of interest to a number of rival teams for 2025.
The news that he will remain at RB heaps extra pressure on his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who does not have a deal confirmed for next year and could come under threat from RB’s reserve driver Liam Lawson.
It also follows an announcement earlier this week that Sergio Perez will remain at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen for another two years, seemingly blocking off the possibility of a promotion for Tsunoda or Ricciardo to Red Bull’s senior team within that time frame.
The 2025 season will mark Tsunoda’s fifth with the team since he made his F1 debut in 2021 with backing from engine supplier Honda.
“I’m very happy to be staying with Visa Cash App RB and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year,” Tsunoda said. “For that, I want to thank everyone at Red Bull and Honda who have played such an important role in my career and will continue to do so.
“The team has a big development project ahead and I’m excited to be part of it. It’s great to know that everyone appreciates all the hard work I have put in and that the team believes I can help it move further up the grid.
“We have already made clear progress this season and that really motivates me to always give of my best and that’s what I’ll continue to do with VCARB.
“For the moment, I’m concentrating on the remaining races this season, with the aim of bringing home as many points as possible, always growing with the team, laying the groundwork to do even better next year!”
RB team principal Laurent Mekies added: “I watched Yuki’s progress in Formula One with interest even before I returned to Faenza and it’s been impressive, year after year.
“The step up he has made this year is simply phenomenal, and he keeps surprising us all, race after race. There’s no doubting his natural speed to which he has now added a much more mature approach and this combination makes him a very quick and consistent performer, and a great team player.
“We continue to get a better understanding of what he needs from us and vice versa, so we are progressing together, Yuki as a driver and the team, as Visa Cash App RB. We share the same ambitions, so there are several good reasons to continue our journey together. He still has a lot to give!”
Source: www.espn.com