Major clue issued over Tsunoda’s 2025 F1 destination

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has offered a major clue over Yuki Tsunoda’s racing plans for the 2025 F1 season.

The energy drink squad’s sister team, RB, currently has two unconfirmed drives for next year, with Tsunoda occupying one of the seats.

The Japanese driver has impressed during the opening eight rounds of the 2024 campaign, scoring 19 points to lift RB to sixth in the constructors’ championship.

With the team’s line-up for next year still unconfirmed, Liam Lawson has been linked to a full-time promotion in place of either Tsunoda or Daniel Ricciardo.

Tsunoda’s prospects of being retained, however, have been boosted, with Marko telling Kleine Zeitung: “Yuki Tsunoda is set. That's clear.”

Tsunoda sees 'no reason' to look elsewhere

Tsunoda joined the RB team in 2021 when it ran under the AlphaTauri moniker.

After embedding himself into the squad across the last three years, Tsunoda highlighted his preferred option for next season is to remain in place at the Faenza-based outfit, now that the second seat at Red Bull has been secured by Sergio Perez.

“Always the Red Bull [family] is the first option,” Tsunoda told media, including RacingNews365, ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. 

“I didn't sign anything yet. But like I said, there are ongoing discussions and I'm happy at VCARB. 

“I just have to make sure we are all aligned, but with this current performance at VCARB, there is not much reason to [look] outside.”

When asked about Marko's continued vote of confidence, Tsunoda highlighted the difference in knowing how he is being assessed so early in the season.

“Definitely [I] feel more supported,” he said. 

“Normally it's coming at the end of the season which added a lot of age [to me], to be honest. It was a tough last three years, it's a bit different this season, so it's good.

“It means I can commit more and hopefully, these things will come out soon.”