Yuki Tsunoda has revealed he is ready to keep "fighting" to remain with Red Bull next season, continuing the current "chapter" of his F1 career.
The Japanese driver has been linked with a possible return to Racing Bulls or even an exit from the Red Bull family in general, due to the impressive rise of Isack Hadjar.
It has been reported that Hadjar is set to replace Tsunoda at the Milton Keynes-based outfit next season, although Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has insisted a decision is yet to be made.
Tsunoda has scored just nine points since being handed his promotion to partner Max Verstappen ahead of the Japanese GP and recognises he must keep pushing to keep his seat.
"I think it's the same as what I said previously, I heard there is a lot of apparent speculation, but I was not really watching the media to pay attention. I don't know," Tsunoda told select media, including RacingNews365.
"I just keep doing the things I'm doing so far, and keep focusing on my performance and show the progress over the races, and that's it. My main priority, obviously, is to stay here."
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Tsunoda eyes Red Bull stay
Despite his struggles and clear deficit to Verstappen, Tsunoda is "only" thinking about remaining with Red Bull next season.
A return to Racing Bulls would see him reunite with the team he spent just over four seasons with. While he knows the outfit well, restarting an old chapter is something he is eager to avoid.
"The only thing I'm thinking about is just staying at Red Bull for next year," added Tsunoda
"So I'm not really thinking much about the situation whether I'm going back to Racing Bulls or whatever. If that thing happens, I'll think about that.
"I was there for [several] years and I know the people. But at the same time, I moved on already to a new chapter. And so far, probably it looks like I'm in a difficult moment, but actually, that’s giving me a lot of progress as a human and as a driver.
"This kind of challenge, like, these are things that you can't really experience. And I like myself fighting against them, trying to make it work. And yeah, it's good."
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