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Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull Snub: Image Problem or Missed Opportunity?

David Castro by David Castro
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Liam Lawson’s Red Bull Hopes Threatened by Yuki Tsunoda in Final Races of 2024

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 22: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Visa Cash App RB prepares in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 22, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409220472 // Usage for editorial use only //

Yuki Tsunoda’s career trajectory in Formula 1 has been a rollercoaster. The Japanese driver, once seen as a rising star in Red Bull’s development program, has now openly admitted that his shaky debut season might have contributed to his current status as an outsider for a top Red Bull seat. Despite his growth over four seasons with AlphaTauri—now Racing Bulls—Tsunoda was overlooked for the 2025 Red Bull Racing vacancy, with Liam Lawson earning the promotion instead.


Tsunoda’s Candid Reflection

Tsunoda has been vocal about the perception challenges stemming from his rookie year in 2021, where he struggled to match teammate Pierre Gasly and made headlines for erratic performances and radio outbursts. Speaking to Motorsport.com, he acknowledged how his debut left a lasting impression:
“I think that part of it is kind of my fault because I wasn’t really able to perform straight away in the first year. It creates a bit of an image of who I am.”

Even with a much-improved 2024 campaign, Tsunoda feels his efforts haven’t been fully recognized:
“Even though I was performing well, I feel like I didn’t really get credit as much as probably other drivers get. But it is what it is.”


The Lawson Factor

The decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda has sparked debate among fans and pundits. While Tsunoda outperformed Lawson in their six-race stint as teammates—finishing ahead in four of those races—the Kiwi’s star continued to rise, with notable performances and a growing reputation for adaptability under pressure.

Tsunoda, however, remains undeterred:
“I just try to give them fewer excuses or reasons why I am not in the seat. I’m sure I can do a better job than what they are thinking.”


Racing Bulls Legacy

Tsunoda’s time with Racing Bulls has been a mixed bag. While he has shown flashes of brilliance and consistently outperformed a revolving door of teammates—Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo among them—his inability to deliver a standout season has seemingly kept him from Red Bull’s radar.

Despite the snub, Tsunoda is set to lead Racing Bulls in 2025 alongside Isack Hadjar, a promising rookie who narrowly missed out on the Formula 2 championship. Tsunoda will be tasked with mentoring Hadjar while proving to Red Bull that they may have underestimated his potential.


Red Bull’s Calculated Move

Red Bull Racing’s decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda reflects the team’s ruthless pragmatism. Lawson’s performances in high-pressure situations and his perceived ceiling as a potential championship contender likely tipped the scales. Red Bull’s preference for bold, standout talents—like Max Verstappen and, earlier, Daniel Ricciardo—may have worked against Tsunoda, who has been consistent but rarely electrifying.


Tsunoda’s Path Forward

For Tsunoda, 2025 represents a critical juncture. If he can dominate his new teammate and deliver a breakout season, he could keep his F1 future alive and possibly rekindle Red Bull’s interest. However, with rising talents like Hadjar and other Red Bull juniors waiting in the wings, the competition for even a Racing Bulls seat is fierce.

“I just naturally keep doing what I’m doing and performing well to prove them wrong,” Tsunoda said, signaling his determination to stay in the fight.


Conclusion: A Driver in Limbo

Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull snub underscores the unforgiving nature of Formula 1. While his early struggles may have created a lasting “image problem,” his undeniable growth and resilience make him a driver still worth watching. Whether he can convert his Racing Bulls tenure into another shot at a top team remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Tsunoda is far from done proving his worth.

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