Tsunoda makes damning Red Bull contract revelation

Yuki Tsunoda has stated ahead his Red Bull contract is worth "almost nothing", to the extent he has yet to "read it properly".

Red Bull contracts have been a talking point in recent weeks ever since it was reported that Sergio Perez has multiple performance-related exit clauses. 

Red Bull could seemingly activate one of the clauses, which was to be within 100 points of Max Verstappen going into the summer break. 

Tsunoda signed his new contract with the Red Bull camp ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, committing to the sister RB team for the 2025 campaign - but has conceded that advisor Dr. Helmut Marko could tweak it. 

"Apparently, even what Helmut says, Red Bull can play around with anything he wants," Tsunoda told select media including RacingNews365. 

"Even the contract is almost nothing. To be honest, I didn't read it properly. So whatever it says, I guess for now this team [RB] is where I'll be."

Tsunoda has enjoyed his best season to date, scoring a bulk of RB's points as rumours swirl over a potential switch up in seats at the Red Bull team.

The Japanese driver believes he is doing everything he needs to warrant becoming Max Verstappen's team-mate and revealed if he is overlooked, then he would feel like he has reached his limit in the Red Bull family.

"Obviously, as a driver, there are a couple of races I could have done better," conceded Tsunoda. "For example, Montreal, I was in the points but lost the points myself. 

"But other than that, please compare the Q3 appearances, my qualifying results and the race results, it will be clear.

"I mean in my opinion yes, it's quite clear."

Tsunoda performance

Tsunoda has performed stronger this year, particularly in qualifying, as he has featured in Q3 seven times this season.

On the other side of the Faenza-based side's garage, Daniel Ricciardo – who has been linked to Perez's seat – has made only three Q3 appearances.

Tsunoda recognises he has been the best driver in the midfield this season, convincing him that promotion at Red Bull is not awarded purely on performance. 

"I guess it seems like there are other factors, because they're considering other drivers as well based on the rumours," Tsunoda said. 

"But if they only look at performance it's quite clear. It's really clear that I'm the one performing well.

"Even in the top of the midfield, even if you compared all the other drivers to myself."