Yuki Tsunoda’s ambition to step up to Red Bull Racing has reached new heights, with the Japanese driver revealing he’s been pushing for a test drive with the championship-winning team. Amid Honda’s ongoing partnership with Red Bull, Tsunoda hopes to secure an outing to prove his mettle alongside F1’s elite.
The AlphaTauri driver has impressed in his 2024 season, showcasing improvement and consistency. However, despite his solid performances, Red Bull has yet to confirm whether Tsunoda will get a shot at the main team, even as Sergio Perez struggles, currently lagging a staggering 204 points behind Max Verstappen. Still, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe hinted that Red Bull is keeping the door open, potentially for a post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
When asked if there had been any updates, Tsunoda admitted, “I’ve asked multiple times,” but acknowledged the decision ultimately lies with Red Bull. “The Red Bull Racing thing, you never know until the day. So, just focus on what I have to do now.”
With Honda set to part ways with Red Bull after 2025, the Japanese automaker is eager to support Tsunoda’s ambitions within the Red Bull structure. Tsunoda expressed gratitude for Honda’s support, saying, “Definitely Honda helped me to push that testing… even since the first race, I’ve been asking.”
If the opportunity arises, Tsunoda sees it as a crucial moment to showcase his driving skills directly to Red Bull’s management. “It’s a very good opportunity. At least, finally I can show a bit of my driving… it feels great,” he stated, clearly optimistic about what a test run could mean for his career trajectory.
As he awaits a final decision, Tsunoda continues to perform at AlphaTauri, hopeful that his persistence and performance will eventually earn him a place beside Verstappen at Red Bull.
