The Red Bull Racing driver lineup decision for 2025 has stirred controversy, as Yuki Tsunoda, a consistent presence since 2021, was passed over for rising star Liam Lawson. While Tsunoda’s strong ties to Honda—a key Red Bull partner—sparked speculation that the Japanese automaker might have influenced the decision, Christian Horner has firmly denied any such involvement.
In a statement that clarifies the contentious move, Horner revealed that Honda chose to remain neutral, leaving the driver decision solely to Red Bull’s management.
Honda’s Role—or Lack Thereof
Despite Honda’s longstanding support for Tsunoda, Horner confirmed that the automaker refrained from lobbying for the Japanese driver’s promotion. “I’m sure they [Honda] would have loved Yuki to have been in the car in the last year of their agreement with Red Bull Racing,” Horner said. “But Honda have always refused to get involved in the driver lineups. They’ve always left that choice down to the team.”
Honda’s neutrality surprised some, given Tsunoda’s journey through the Red Bull Junior Program was initially facilitated by Honda. However, the automaker’s hands-off approach has underscored Red Bull’s autonomy in making performance-driven decisions.
Marko: Tsunoda Is Quick but Inconsistent
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s driver advisor, provided a blunt assessment of Tsunoda’s performance. While acknowledging the 24-year-old’s speed, Marko emphasized the lack of consistency that ultimately influenced Red Bull’s decision.
“I think Yuki can be really fast, but it’s not very consistent,” Marko remarked. He pointed to two critical accidents Tsunoda had during the 2024 season, which highlighted the gaps in his reliability under pressure.
Tsunoda’s Future in F1: What’s Next?
Tsunoda’s future beyond 2025 remains uncertain. While he retains his seat at Red Bull’s junior team for next season, the long-term outlook is less clear. One possible path for Tsunoda is a move to Aston Martin, Honda’s future engine partner starting in 2026. However, with Aston Martin’s existing talent pool and aspirations to rise in the constructors’ standings, it’s unclear whether they will have room for the Japanese driver.
The decision to bypass Tsunoda in favor of Lawson has fueled debate within the F1 community. Some view it as a fair call based on Lawson’s rising potential, while others argue that Tsunoda deserved the promotion after years of consistent work with Red Bull’s junior program.
Why Red Bull Chose Lawson
Lawson’s mental strength and adaptability, praised by Red Bull’s leadership, were likely the deciding factors in his promotion. Horner highlighted Lawson’s ability to handle pressure and deliver under challenging conditions, traits that align closely with the demands of a top-tier seat at Milton Keynes.
A Pivotal Moment for Tsunoda
As Red Bull moves forward with Lawson, Tsunoda faces a career-defining crossroads. To stay relevant in the highly competitive world of Formula 1, he must address his consistency issues and seize every opportunity to showcase his skill in 2025. With a potential move to Aston Martin on the horizon, Tsunoda still has a chance to carve out a long-term F1 career—provided he can rise to the challenge.
