Yuki Tsunoda Set to Electrify F1 in 2025: The Inside Scoop on His Future with RB
The buzz is real, and the stakes are high. Yuki Tsunoda has secured his spot with the RB Formula 1 team for the 2025 season, marking a significant milestone in his emerging career. The Japanese sensation has left an indelible mark on the motorsport world, particularly in his fourth term with the Faenza-based outfit. Outshining his more experienced teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, Tsunoda has proven to be a formidable force on the racetrack.
This year has been a breakthrough season for Tsunoda. With five points finishes in the first eight races, he currently sits 10th in the Drivers' Championship. His performance has injected a fresh dose of enthusiasm and vigor into the RB team, which continues to evolve and improve its performance. Although he was not picked for a promotion to the Red Bull parent team—largely due to Sergio Perez's contract renewal—Tsunoda remains a vital cog in the RB machinery.
"I'm very happy to be staying with RB, and it's a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year," Tsunoda commented. He went on to express his gratitude to both Red Bull and Honda for their unwavering support throughout his career. As the team gears up for an extensive development phase, Tsunoda is eager to play a pivotal role in pushing the team further up the grid.
"It's great to know that everyone appreciates all the hard work I have put in and that the team believes I can help it move further up the grid," he added. The progress made this season serves as a powerful motivator for Tsunoda, who aims to maximize points in the remaining races and set the stage for even greater achievements next year.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix" />RB Team Principal Laurent Mekies has been effusive in his praise for Tsunoda's performance this season, describing it as "phenomenal." Mekies said, "The step up he has made this year is simply phenomenal, and he keeps surprising us all, race after race." He cited Tsunoda's innate speed and newfound maturity as key factors in his consistent and quick performances. The relationship between Tsunoda and the RB team is one of mutual growth and ambition, with Mekies emphasizing that there are numerous good reasons to continue their partnership.
This decision to retain Tsunoda adds another layer of intrigue to RB's future. It leaves the Red Bull parent team with a challenging decision: either maintaining Ricciardo or promoting reserve driver Liam Lawson to a full-time race seat. According to RB CEO Peter Bayer, "Yuki is a graduate of both the Red Bull and Honda Junior Driver programmes and it’s thanks to a good job from all parties that he’s been able to reach his current level of performance." Bayer's sentiment echoes the team's belief in Tsunoda's potential as an invaluable asset both on and off the track, thanks to his engaging character and popularity among fans worldwide.
"As the saying goes, ‘never change a winning team,’ so we are delighted to confirm Yuki as part of our future," Bayer concluded. Tsunoda’s retention signifies RB's commitment to nurturing talent and maintaining the momentum necessary for climbing the competitive ladders of Formula 1. With Tsunoda firmly in their plans, RB is geared for a future filled with high-speed excitement and unwavering dedication to excellence.