Tsunoda’s Future at Red Bull in Doubt After Horner’s Comments
Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, has sparked speculation about the future of one of the team’s key drivers, Yuki Tsunoda, following recent statements regarding his position within the team. Red Bull has been making waves recently with several driver changes, including Liam Lawson’s promotion to the main team in place of Sergio Perez, and Isack Hadjar taking over Lawson’s seat at VCARB. Hadjar, a rising star in Formula 1, will partner with Tsunoda at VCARB for the 2025 season, marking the Japanese driver’s fifth year with Red Bull’s junior squad.
Tsunoda, despite having shown strong performances in the past two seasons at VCARB, has yet to earn a permanent spot with the senior team. His consistent form, including outperforming teammates such as Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Lawson, had led many to believe he might secure a seat alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull. However, this has not materialized, and Tsunoda’s future with the team remains unclear.
In a recent interview, Horner acknowledged that Tsunoda’s situation could reach a critical point if he is not promoted to the senior team for the 2025 season. He explained that it would no longer make sense for Tsunoda to continue in a support role after five years, stressing that Red Bull could either offer him a chance with the main team or let him go. “You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years. You can’t always be the bridesmaid,” Horner stated, highlighting the pressure on Tsunoda to secure a spot with the senior team.
This revelation puts Tsunoda under increased scrutiny, as he is now expected to prove that he is capable of securing a seat with Red Bull. The 2025 season will be a pivotal year for Tsunoda, as he aims to build on his past performances and demonstrate that he is ready for a permanent role with the senior team. With Red Bull’s roster already highly competitive, the Japanese driver faces intense pressure to deliver results or risk being released from the team. His future now hangs in the balance as Red Bull considers its next move in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
