Red Bull confirm Max Verstappen team-mate for rest of 2025

Helmut Marko has stated Yuki Tsunoda will remain alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull until the end of the F1 season.

The Japanese driver assumed the seat from Liam Lawson for his home grand prix at Suzuka. Whilst it was not the debut weekend the 24-year-old would have hoped for, Marko has confirmed the Milton Keynes squad will not make further changes this term.

Verstappen scored an improbable victory, built upon the foundation of a superb pole-securing qualifying lap, but Tsunoda's Q2 elimination left him powerless to prevent finishing point-less in P12.

However, he was significantly closer to the Dutchman through practice than Lawson could manage in Australia and China.

According to Marko, Tsunoda wanting a similar set-up approach to Verstappen means the latest Red Bull driver pairing fits better.

"Yuki is actually happy with Max's set-up. They have the same preferences, so it fits well together," Marko said to Austrian broadcaster ORF.

"Of course, it is important for us to have two cars in the points," he added, addressing Tsunoda's underwhelming output for the weekend.

However, the Austrian was also quick to highlight how well he fared up to qualifying, despite the lack of preparation afforded him.

"The first race went fairly smoothly. He was always two-to-three tenths behind Max in practice and qualifying until he was eliminated," the 81-year-old said.

"That's quite an achievement when you don't get more time," before concluding, "Yuki will finish the season at Red Bull."