Formula One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 29, 2024 RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson before practice REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
LONDON – Yuki Tsunoda will represent experience and continuity at Racing Bulls next year but, passed over for promotion, the Japanese appears to be lacking a path at the Red Bull-owned Formula One team.
A flurry of announcements at Red Bull culminated on Friday with the confirmation of 20-year-old Isack Hadjar as Tsunoda’s teammate.
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The Frenchman fills the seat vacated by New Zealander Liam Lawson, who joins four-time champion Max Verstappen in the main team following the withdrawal of Mexican Sergio Perez.
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Tsunoda, 24, will enter his fifth year with the team formerly known as AlphaTauri and RB and has close ties with Red Bull’s engine partner Honda.
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However, the Japanese manufacturer is leaving Red Bull at the end of 2025 to work with Aston Martin.
November 20, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, United States; Visa Cash RB app driver Yuki Tsunoda (22) poses for photos at the Las Vegas racetrack. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
“We are very aware that if we are not able to give Yuki an opportunity (at Red Bull) in all honesty this year, does it (keeping him) make sense?” said the boss of the Red Bull team, Christian Horner, to journalists. .
“You can’t have a driver on the support team for five years. You can’t always be the maid of honor. At this point you either need to let them go or consider something different.
READ: F1: “The problem child” Yuki Tsunoda remains patient
Horner said he spoke with Tsunoda, a fan favorite who is currently enjoying his time off in Japan, and that the driver was determined to show what he could do.
“I think he’s very determined. He knows that things change very quickly,” said the Briton. “Who would have thought nine months ago that we would be sitting here talking about Liam Lawson as our driver for 2025?
“Things are changing quickly in this industry and he’s aware of that and he knows he has to be the one to demonstrate that he’s the one knocking at the door.”
The Italian-based Racing Bulls, who changed their name several times after Red Bull bought Minardi in 2005 and renamed them Toro Rosso, have always been a feeder to the title-winning Milton Keynes main team.
Drivers who have come through the ranks include four-time world champions Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen as well as race winners Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz.
Hadjar is part of a group of young prospects breaking into the sport and Red Bull also have Arvid Lindblad as an exciting talent on the horizon.
Horner rates the 17-year-old, who has both British and Swedish nationality, particularly highly after a strong rookie season in Formula 3, including a double victory at Silverstone.
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Currently without a super-license, Lindblad will seek the necessary points in New Zealand early next year ahead of a full F2 season which could see him promoted to 2026 at Tsunoda’s expense.
