The future of the Honda-backed driver has been uncertain since the manufacturer announced its move to Aston Martin in the 2026 season, marking the beginning of a new era in Formula 1. Despite this, the 24-year-old driver has outperformed the experienced Australian, Daniel Ricciardo. Additionally, the team has 22-year-old New Zealander Liam Lawson as a reserve driver waiting for his opportunity.
During a press conference, Bayer stated that VCARB is satisfied with its current drivers and that their main focus is chasing Aston Martin, rather than getting involved in discussions about the drivers. Bayer expressed his belief that Tsunoda has progressed significantly, both physically and mentally. He emphasized Tsunoda’s ability to control his emotions and maintain professionalism in his work with the engineers.
In terms of performance, Tsunoda has scored 15 points in seven races, while Ricciardo has only accumulated five points. Tsunoda has consistently finished in the points in four Grand Prix races. Lawson, who replaced Ricciardo when he was injured last season, received assurance from Red Bull management that he would have a place in Formula 1.
When asked about Lawson’s current role, Bayer stated that he is still an extremely valuable member of the team. The focus now is on the track and the upcoming races leading up to the summer break. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner added that there is enough time and all drivers are under contract with the team.
The contracts of Tsunoda and Ricciardo expire at the end of this season. Bayer emphasized that Lawson is eager to return to racing and highlighted the strong talent pool in Formula 2 and Formula 3. Overall, the team remains confident in its driver lineup and is committed to achieving success in the current season. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)
