Red Bull’s long-standing skepticism about promoting Yuki Tsunoda to their main Formula 1 team has resurfaced, with advisor Helmut Marko pointing to the Japanese driver’s inconsistency as a critical factor in the decision. As Sergio Perez’s Red Bull tenure appears increasingly uncertain, Tsunoda has expressed frustration at being sidelined despite his standout performances this season.
Tsunoda’s Strong Season Overshadowed by Lawson’s Rise
Tsunoda has been a bright spot for Red Bull’s sister team, RB, this year, scoring 30 of the team’s 46 points and consistently outperforming his teammates. However, the 23-year-old finds himself overshadowed by Liam Lawson, widely seen as the front-runner for promotion to Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen in 2025.
Despite driving an RB20 in the upcoming post-season test, Tsunoda has been left in the dark about his prospects. Speaking candidly during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Tsunoda vented his frustration over the lack of clarity surrounding his future.
“I don’t know if I’m in the mix. Even if they say, ‘Yuki is in the mix,’ I don’t know if that’s true,” Tsunoda said. “I’ll just keep pushing and control what I can. Historically, outperforming your teammate consistently leads to promotion. Maybe something has changed within Red Bull.”
Marko’s Verdict: Speed Without Stability
Helmut Marko acknowledged Tsunoda’s raw talent but highlighted concerns about his ability to perform consistently under pressure.
“Yuki has the speed, but he lacks continuity and stability,” Marko said in an interview with Kleine Zeitung. “When it works for him, it works very well, but he’s also prone to making avoidable mistakes.”
Tsunoda’s erratic performances earlier in the season, including costly errors in Brazil, have left Red Bull questioning whether he can handle the demands of competing at the sharp end of the grid.
Perez Decision Looms Over Abu Dhabi
With Sergio Perez’s future hanging by a thread after a tumultuous season, Red Bull is expected to make a decision about its 2025 lineup following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Marko confirmed that a meeting scheduled for Monday will determine Perez’s fate and potentially Tsunoda’s future with the team.
“There will be a meeting on Monday after Abu Dhabi, and that’s when the decisions will be made,” Marko said.
Tsunoda’s Frustration Boils Over
Tsunoda has made no secret of his disappointment at being overlooked despite outperforming expectations this year. The driver suggested that Red Bull’s decision-making dynamics may have shifted since the passing of company founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who was known for his hands-on involvement in the team’s operations.
“For myself, I can’t find many reasons why I’m not being talked about heavily,” Tsunoda remarked. “Red Bull has been a team that rewards success, so this feels like an unusual situation.”
What’s Next for Tsunoda?
As Red Bull weighs its options, Tsunoda heads into the season finale in Abu Dhabi with what could be his last chance to stake a claim for promotion. While Marko’s comments suggest the door isn’t entirely closed, Tsunoda faces a steep challenge to convince Red Bull’s decision-makers that he has what it takes to replace Perez.
With Liam Lawson waiting in the wings and Red Bull’s notoriously high standards, Tsunoda’s future at the sharp end of Formula 1 remains uncertain. Will Abu Dhabi be the stage for Tsunoda’s redemption, or the final chapter in his Red Bull journey? Only time will tell.
