The winds of change are swirling around Yuki Tsunoda as his long-term future with the Red Bull family comes into question. In a revealing interview, team principal Christian Horner hinted that the popular Japanese driver may be facing an exit from the team after the 2025 season if he fails to secure a promotion to the senior squad.
The ‘Eternal Bridesmaid’ Dilemma
Tsunoda, who burst onto the Formula 1 scene in 2021 with his vibrant personality and aggressive driving style, has long been touted as a future star for Red Bull. However, despite solid performances for the AlphaTauri team (formerly Toro Rosso), the 24-year-old has seen his path to the top blocked by the formidable Max Verstappen and the team’s preference for more experienced teammates.
As Horner bluntly put it, “You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years. You can’t always be the bridesmaid.” The message is clear – Tsunoda must earn a Red Bull seat soon or face the prospect of being cut loose.
A Tight Call: Lawson Gets the Nod
The first domino fell with the announcement that Red Bull junior Liam Lawson would replace the departing Sergio Pérez in the second Red Bull seat for 2025. It was a decision Horner described as a “tight call” but ultimately one that left Tsunoda on the outside looking in.
“Things change very quickly in this industry and he’s aware of that and he knows that he needs to be the one demonstrating that he’s the one knocking on the door.”
– Christian Horner on Yuki Tsunoda’s future
The Honda Factor
Complicating matters is Honda’s looming exit as Red Bull’s engine partner after 2025. Tsunoda’s close ties to the Japanese manufacturer have long been seen as a point in his favor, but with that relationship ending, his position within the team is now less certain.
A New Teammate and Rising Threats
For 2025, Tsunoda will be joined at AlphaTauri (to be rebranded as Racing Bulls) by the highly-rated French prospect Isack Hadjar. The 20-year-old will be looking to make an immediate impact and stake his own claim to a future Red Bull drive.
But the threats to Tsunoda don’t end there. Waiting in the wings is British-Swedish prodigy Arvid Lindblad, who has dazzled in his rookie Formula 3 campaign. Horner is a known admirer of the 17-year-old, who could be fast-tracked to an F1 seat as early as 2026 if he secures the necessary Super License points next year.
A Determined Mindset
For his part, Tsunoda remains resolute in his determination to prove he belongs at the pinnacle of the Red Bull pyramid. Currently enjoying some downtime in his native Japan, the 24-year-old is said to be fully focused on delivering a strong 2025 campaign to keep his name in the frame for future opportunities.
As Horner noted, “He’s very determined. He knows that things change very quickly. Who would have thought nine months ago that we’d be sitting here talking about Liam Lawson being our driver for 2025?”
An Uncertain Future
Ultimately, Yuki Tsunoda finds himself at a crossroads as the sands shift beneath his feet at Red Bull. A victim of circumstance or his own failure to fully convince his bosses, the spunky fan favorite faces an uncertain future beyond 2025.
Will he rise to the challenge and force his way into a Red Bull seat on pure merit? Or will he become the latest victim of the team’s ruthless driver program, cast aside in favor of the next shiny new prospect?
The ball is firmly in Tsunoda’s court as the Formula 1 silly season hits high gear. The racing world will be watching with bated breath to see if the smiling assassin can beat the odds and keep his Red Bull dream alive.
