Available seats in Formula 1 for the 2025 season have been primarily linked to the usual suspects, but there is an unexpected option in the mix. Assuming Red Bull and Mercedes stick to their current plans, the main contenders for the remaining seats at Audi Sauber, Alpine, Williams, and Haas are Carlos Sainz, Valtteri Bottas, Esteban Ocon, and Pierre Gasly. It is widely anticipated that Sainz will join Audi once his time at Red Bull and Mercedes comes to an end.
However, a driver who could potentially influence the allocation of these final seats is Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda is currently under contract with Red Bull, and it is believed that the team has the option to keep him for the next season. Tsunoda has performed exceptionally well, consistently outperforming Daniel Ricciardo and contributing to Red Bull’s success in the championship. Despite his impressive performance, Tsunoda is not seriously being considered for a promotion to Red Bull’s main team.
It seems there is little Tsunoda can do to change this situation, especially with Honda, his main sponsor, leaving Red Bull teams in 2026 to join Aston Martin. This means Tsunoda’s time at Red Bull is limited. Although Red Bull has not officially ruled out Tsunoda’s chances of joining the main team, it is plausible that he will leave the team if he finds a suitable alternative, especially with Liam Lawson waiting in the wings.
Tsunoda has been linked to a possible move to Alpine and has also piqued the interest of Haas as the driver market reaches its final stages. Haas seems to be a more viable option than the Renault factory team, given the logic from both sides. Tsunoda would fit well at Haas alongside potential rookie driver Ollie Bearman, providing the American team with a young and fast lineup that benefits from Tsunoda’s four seasons of F1 experience. Haas’ progress in the midfield under the leadership of Ayao Komatsu makes it a legitimate option.
Tsunoda’s preference is to stay with his current team, which currently has one of the fastest cars in the F1 midfield. He hopes to eventually secure a seat at Red Bull Racing. However, if that goal is not achievable, he will need to consider other options. Tsunoda acknowledges his loyalty to Red Bull and Honda, as they have played a significant role in his career. He also mentions the possibility of a Honda-backed seat at Aston Martin in the future, although this may not be immediately available.
Seats at Haas, Alpine, and Williams have been speculated to be reserved for drivers like Bottas and Ocon. Both have had discussions with Haas and Williams, and Gasly, Ocon’s teammate, has also been linked to Haas. While it is possible for Ocon and Gasly to stay at Alpine, and Bottas is being considered by several teams, the final destinations of these drivers remain uncertain. Tsunoda’s availability in the right circumstances adds an interesting twist to the equation.
