F1 News Today: Red Bull role confirmed for SNUBBED star as new driver lineup teased
In a significant development within the Red Bull Racing family, Laurent Mekies, the team principal of Racing Bulls, has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will continue with the team for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Tsunoda’s retention comes after he narrowly missed out on a promotion to the main Red Bull Racing team, which instead opted for Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s teammate.
Racing Bulls, formerly known as AlphaTauri, underwent a rebranding in 2025 under Mekies’ leadership. The team finished the 2024 season in eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship, with Tsunoda being the primary points scorer.
Looking ahead, Racing Bulls have announced their driver lineup for the 2025 season, featuring Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar. Hadjar, a 19-year-old French driver and Red Bull junior, steps up from a runner-up finish in the Formula 2 championship. Mekies expressed optimism about Hadjar’s potential, highlighting his rapid development and readiness to compete at the highest level.
Tsunoda’s continued presence at Racing Bulls is seen as an opportunity for him to further his development and potentially re-enter contention for a seat at Red Bull Racing in the future. Mekies believes that with consistent progress, Tsunoda could become a strong contender for promotion.
The collaboration between Racing Bulls and Red Bull Racing remains a pivotal aspect of Red Bull’s driver development program. Mekies emphasized the importance of this relationship, stating that the synergy between the two teams is crucial for nurturing talent and achieving success on the track.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Racing Bulls to see how their new driver lineup performs and whether Tsunoda can capitalize on this opportunity to advance his F1 career.
