Yuki Tsunoda has been given a clear ultimatum—his window for a Red Bull promotion is closing fast. Despite missing out on the 2025 seat to Liam Lawson, the Japanese driver remains in contention for a future call-up. But Red Bull boss Christian Horner has made it clear: if Tsunoda can’t prove himself this season, his F1 career with the team may be over.
Liam Lawson’s Rise: A Blow to Tsunoda’s Hopes
After Sergio Pérez’s underwhelming 2024 campaign, Red Bull faced a crucial decision—who would partner Max Verstappen? The choice came down to Lawson vs. Tsunoda, two former teammates at Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri).
Despite Tsunoda’s experience, Red Bull chose Lawson, citing his mental resilience as a decisive factor. The move signals that Red Bull’s senior leadership still isn’t fully convinced by Tsunoda, despite his years of service in their junior team.
However, Horner has left the door slightly open—if Lawson fails to impress, Red Bull could still turn to Tsunoda.
“He said his motivation was to demonstrate that he warrants the opportunity,” Horner told RacingNews365. “He knows things change quickly. Who would have thought nine months ago we’d be talking about Liam Lawson as our 2025 driver?”
The Clock is Ticking: Tsunoda’s Last Chance
With five seasons in Red Bull’s junior program, Tsunoda is now in uncharted territory. Few drivers get that much time to prove themselves without a promotion. And Horner didn’t sugarcoat the reality—if Tsunoda doesn’t shine in 2025, Red Bull will likely cut ties altogether.
“You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years,” Horner admitted to The Race. “You can’t always be the bridesmaid. You’ve either got to let them go or look at something different.”
The Lindblad Factor: Red Bull’s Next Big Thing?
Even if Tsunoda impresses, another obstacle is emerging—18-year-old British prodigy Arvid Lindblad. After securing the necessary FIA superlicense points, Lindblad is expected to make his F1 weekend debut in FP1 this season.
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko and Horner have already raved about his potential, and with a move to Formula 2 in 2025, Lindblad could be on a fast track to F1.
If he shines early, Tsunoda’s dream of a Red Bull seat could be dead before it even has a chance to revive.
Can Tsunoda Prove Red Bull Wrong?
For now, Tsunoda remains in control of his own destiny—but the pressure is immense. Red Bull won’t hesitate to move on if he fails to make a compelling case in 2025.
If Lawson delivers and Lindblad emerges, Tsunoda may be forced to seek opportunities outside the Red Bull family. With seats at other top teams scarce, his F1 future could be on the line.
The 2025 season is Tsunoda’s last stand—can he prove that Red Bull made the wrong call, or will he be another name on the long list of junior drivers left behind?
