Yuki Tsunoda will stay at RB for the 2025 System 1 season after the workforce took up an choice to increase the Japanese driver’s contract for an extra 12 months.
The 24-year-old’s hopes of incomes a promotion to Crimson Bull from the reigning constructors’ champions’ junior squad ended earlier this week when Sergio Perez was given a two-year extension to stay as Max Verstappen’s team-mate.
Tsunoda by no means gave the impression to be seen as a severe candidate to drive for Crimson Bull in 2025, regardless of having made an especially sturdy begin to his fourth F1 marketing campaign, comprehensively outperforming team-mate Daniel Ricciardo within the course of.
“I’m very happy to be staying with Visa Cash App RB and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year,” Tsunoda stated in an announcement.
“For that, I need to thank everybody at Crimson Bull and Honda who’ve performed such an essential function in my profession and can proceed to take action. The workforce has a giant growth challenge forward and I am excited to be a part of it. It is nice to know that everybody appreciates all of the arduous work I’ve put in and that the workforce believes I might help it transfer additional up the grid.
“We have already made clear progress this season and that really motivates me to always give my best and that’s what I’ll continue to do with VCARB. For the moment, I’m concentrating on the remaining races this season, with the aim of bringing home as many points as possible, always growing with the team, laying the groundwork to do even better next year!”
Mekies: Tsunoda progress ‘merely phenomenal’
Given the shortage of traction over potential progress for Tsunoda via the Crimson Bull ranks, he has been lately linked with a transfer away from the workforce.
Tsunoda got here via Crimson Bull and RB engine provider Honda’s youth driver programme to succeed in F1, however the Japanese producer will now not provide the groups when the game’s rules change in 2026.
Honda, who had initially stated they had been leaving F1, will as a substitute provide rival workforce Aston Martin with engines, which had led to hypothesis over Tsunoda presumably becoming a member of the Silverstone-based squad sooner or later.
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Each RB drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda say they nonetheless stay optimistic about their future at Crimson Bull regardless of the information Sergio Perez will proceed with the workforce for one more two years
Nevertheless, given the power of his performances, it’s unsurprising that RB have taken up their choice to maintain maintain of Tsunoda for not less than another 12 months.
RB workforce principal Laurent Mekies stated: “I watched Yuki’s progress in Formula 1 with interest even before I returned to Faenza and it’s been impressive, year after year. The step up he has made this year is simply phenomenal, and he keeps surprising us all, race after race.
“There is not any doubting his pure pace to which he has now added a way more mature method and this mix makes him a really fast and constant performer, and an incredible workforce participant.
“We continue to get a better understanding of what he needs from us and vice versa, so we are progressing together, Yuki as a driver and the team, as Visa Cash App RB. We share the same ambitions, so there are several good reasons to continue our journey together. He still has a lot to give!”
What about Ricciardo?
In what stays an especially fluid 2025 driver market with a number of seats to be stuffed, RB have but to substantiate who will drive alongside Tsunoda subsequent season.
Ricciardo has up to now didn’t impress on his full-time return to F1 after changing Nyck de Vries halfway via final season.
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Residence favorite Yuki Tsunoda joins Ted Kravitz for breakfast to debate his youthful karting days, his rivalry with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo and what the long run seems to be like for him at RB
With Crimson Bull junior Liam Lawson ready within the wings after impressing when standing in after Ricciardo was injured final season, the workforce would seem to nonetheless be assessing their choices.
RB chief government Peter Bayer added: “Yuki is a graduate of both the Red Bull and Honda Junior Driver programmes and it’s thanks to a good job from all parties that he’s been able to reach his current level of performance.
“Because the saying goes, ‘by no means change a successful workforce’, so we’re delighted to substantiate Yuki as a part of our future. He’s a worthwhile asset on and off the race monitor, as his participating nature has made him very talked-about with followers world wide. We’re excited that he’s staying with us.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Canadian GP schedule
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A glance again at a number of the most dramatic moments from the Canadian Grand Prix
Sunday June 9
5.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – Canadian GP build-up
7pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
9pm: Chequered Flag – Canadian GP response
10pm: Ted’s Pocket book
System 1 is on Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and you may watch each session on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend dwell on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 7pm. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
