At the conclusion of this season, both Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will have their contracts expire.
RB boss Laurent Mekies has said the team is in no rush to sort the future of either Yuki Tsunoda or Daniel Ricciardo despite them both being out of contract this year.
Ricciardo and Tsunoda, like many other drivers, entered this year with uncertainty about their future beyond the season. While some aspects of the 2025 puzzle have started to become clear, their place in it remains uncertain.
RB boss speaks on Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda future
Since Ricciardo’s return in the middle of last season, the two drivers have been teammates. However, it is uncertain how much longer this partnership will last as both drivers’ contracts expire at the end of this year.
But while other teams start to make signings, RB team principal Laurent Mekies exclusively told PlanetF1.com they are in no rush to make a decision.
“In spite of the evident buzz and enthusiasm surrounding the driver market, when viewed solely from our standpoint, there seems to be no compelling reason for us to hurry,” he voiced his opinion in Monaco.
“We are currently in race eight, diligently working and maintaining our focus. At this stage of the year, our primary objective is comprehending the requirements of our drivers, fine-tuning the vehicle to meet their needs, and fostering a conducive atmosphere for them to excel.”
From our point of view, although it appears to be a significant discussion, it is still too premature for us to consider it.
Mekies showed no concern about the possibility of Haas losing either driver when asked if the team’s patience could lead to Tsunoda joining the team, according to the latest rumor.
“We are fully cognizant of the status of our contracts, and when the occasion arises to address the matter, we will do so in a timely manner. However, currently, we do not feel any time constraints or urgency.”
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Mekies holds a distinctive position as one of the ten team principals in the grid. However, he faces a unique situation where the Red Bull organization, along with influential figures like Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, have a significant say in determining the team’s driver selections.
Regarding his level of influence, the 47-year-old explained that he understands his mission is to prepare drivers for racing under the Red Bull team.
He stated that our responsibility is to establish an atmosphere where our drivers can grow. Developing drivers for the Red Bull family and the racing industry remains a crucial objective for our team. Therefore, this is the task assigned to us, deeply rooted in our team’s DNA and a key performance indicator.
“So, the moment of decision for the drivers will occur later this year, and I am certain that we will be having discussions with all the key stakeholders, including Helmut and Christian.”
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