Tsunoda suggests Red Bull exit after promotion snub
Yuki Tsunoda has suggested he will look to secure his long-term future in F1 having been passed by for a promotion to Red Bull next year.
The Japanese driver outlined the path could take him outside of the Red Bull organisation, which he has been associated with since 2019.
Red Bull opted to call up Liam Lawson to the front-running squad for 2025 to replace Sergio Perez, who departed the team after four seasons.
Tsunoda was confirmed on next year’s grid several months ago with Racing Bulls – but he continued to be linked with a promotion as Perez struggled for form.
However, the 24-year-old was overlooked and will remain at the sister Racing Bulls outfit next year where he will be joined by rookie Isack Hadjar.
Speaking exclusively to RacingNews365 prior to the Red Bull driver line-up announcement, Tsunoda said: “In the end, I’m also looking for a Red Bull [seat]. If I can’t step into the Red Bull, what’s next will be this team [Racing Bulls].
“This team, I got a contract next year, but most of the drivers [have] got contracts until 2027. I’m a driver that gets a contract year-by-year.
“It’s not that healthy as well, I’m the driver getting a contract year-by-year, having extra pressure from others.”
Tsunoda outlines priority over F1 future
While Tsunoda may still seek to convince Red Bull of a promotion to the championship-contending outfit, he highlighted his priority remains penning a deal that ensures his presence on the grid for years to come.
Tsunoda has been linked with a switch to Aston Martin as Honda, who has long backed Tsunoda’s career, will supply power units to the Silverstone-based squad from 2026 when new technical regulations come into play.
However, the team has already confirmed Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll as its driver line-up ahead of the sport’s new technical era.
Tsunoda detailed having his future secured for several years to come will help sharpen his focus and aid his on-track results.
“If I can get something different [with a] contract from this team, that would be great, I can really focus on this team’s project,” he said.
“But even if I couldn’t even get that, I would say to be fair, there’s a good chance that have to look at another team.
“But that’s probably a natural thing as well as an F1 driver because I want to really focus on a team’s project.
“And if I keep getting one year [extensions], I really can’t. Because in the long term, it will help a lot of things. Not just focus and pressure, but just in general, my lifestyle and everything.”
