- F1 champion predicts first driver sacking of 2025 to be… read more
Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has predicted that Yuki Tsunoda will be the first driver to leave the F1 grid in 2025. Tsunoda, who is entering his fifth season in F1, will once again race for AlphaTauri, the Red Bull sister team. He will be joined by rookie Isack Hadjar for the upcoming season.
Despite Tsunoda’s continued presence in F1, his future in the sport looks uncertain. Villeneuve believes that Tsunoda will not remain with the Red Bull family beyond 2025, especially after being passed over for a promotion to the senior Red Bull team in favor of Liam Lawson. Lawson will partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull this season, while Tsunoda stays at AlphaTauri, a team that has been struggling to compete with the top teams in recent years.
Villeneuve, who won the F1 World Championship in 1997, pointed out that Tsunoda’s place in F1 is largely due to the backing of Honda. The Japanese automaker has been a key supporter of Tsunoda’s career, especially through his association with AlphaTauri, which has been powered by Honda engines. However, Villeneuve speculates that Honda’s involvement in F1 will not last forever, and once their support wanes, Tsunoda’s career prospects will become more limited.
The former champion also expressed doubt about other teams seeking to sign Tsunoda. “I don’t see any team wanting him unless there’s a big Honda push,” Villeneuve said, suggesting that without Honda’s backing, Tsunoda’s options in F1 could be limited. While some rumors have linked Tsunoda to a potential move to Aston Martin in the future, this could be dependent on Honda’s increased involvement with the team in 2026, when the Japanese manufacturer is set to supply Aston Martin with power units.
Villeneuve’s prediction adds to the pressure on Tsunoda, who has struggled to consistently perform at the level expected by the Red Bull family. While he has shown occasional flashes of speed, his overall performance has been overshadowed by the rise of other talents within the Red Bull setup, including Lawson, who impressed in his limited opportunities last season. As a result, Tsunoda’s position appears increasingly vulnerable, and 2025 could be his final year with the Red Bull program.
The 2025 season is crucial for Tsunoda, who must prove himself not only to Red Bull but also to the wider F1 paddock. If he fails to make a strong impact, Villeneuve’s prediction could come true, and Tsunoda may find himself without a seat for 2026.
