Since 2021, Yuki Tsunoda has been a driver for the Red Bull junior team.
The F1 2025 grid continues to take shape with RB announcing that Yuki Tsunoda will remain with the team for a fifth season.
Tsunoda has delivered arguably his most impressive string of performances to date during the F1 2024 campaign, making himself a regular face in the top 10 and collecting 19 of RB’s 24 points scored so far. This form has not gone unnoticed by his team.
Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull contract extension triggered
Sergio Perez’s chances of joining the Red Bull team for the upcoming season seem to have diminished as he has been signed on a multi-year contract. However, Yuki Tsunoda’s association with Red Bull will continue as they have activated the extension option for the F1 2025 campaign.
In response to the news, Tsunoda expressed his joy, stating, “I am extremely thrilled to remain with Visa Cash App RB, and it brings great satisfaction to have my future secured this early in the year. I would like to extend my gratitude to the entire Red Bull and Honda team, who have been instrumental in shaping my career and will continue to support me going forward.”
“I am thrilled to be part of the team’s upcoming significant development project. It’s wonderful to feel valued for the hard work I have dedicated, and it’s even more rewarding to know that the team has faith in my ability to contribute towards advancing our position.”
The progress we have achieved this season serves as a strong motivation for me to consistently give my best. I am determined to continue doing so with VCARB.
“At present, my focus lies on the upcoming races of this season, striving to secure as many points as possible. My objective is to continuously evolve alongside the team, establishing a solid foundation for achieving greater success in the following year!”
Speaking recently to PlanetF1.com, RB team principal Laurent Mekies expressed confidence that their decision not to rush on announcing their F1 2025 drivers would not cost them Tsunoda, who had been linked with Haas and also Aston Martin, as his backer Honda prepare to switch allegiances to the Silverstone outfit from F1 2026.
After confirming Tsunoda’s contract extension for F1 2025, Mekies praised the remarkable progress made by the Japanese driver this season and hinted at even more to come.
Mekies expressed, “Even before I came back to Faenza, I have been closely following Yuki’s journey in Formula 1 with great interest. It has been consistently impressive to witness his growth year after year. However, the progress he has achieved this year is truly extraordinary, and his ability to surprise us race after race is remarkable.”
His inherent speed is undeniable, and he has further developed a more mature approach. This fusion of qualities renders him a remarkably swift and reliable performer, as well as an exceptional team player.
“We continue to get a better understanding of what he needs from us and vice versa, so we are progressing together, Yuki as a driver and the team, as Visa Cash App RB. We share the same
ambitions, so there are several good reasons to continue our journey together. He still has a lot to give!”
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RB CEO Peter Bayer added: “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.
We are thrilled to announce that Yuki will continue to be a part of our future. As the popular saying suggests, “never change a winning team,” and Yuki has proven to be a valuable asset both on and off the race track. His engaging personality has made him immensely popular with fans worldwide, and we are excited to have him staying with us.
Red Bull Racing is now faced with the task of selecting their second half of the F1 2025 line-up. Alongside Daniel Ricciardo, potential candidates for the seat include talented RB development driver Liam Lawson, Red Bull Formula 2 junior Isack Hadjar, and Ayumu Iwasa.
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