Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda is under consideration to partner Max Verstappen in 2025. The decision will depend on Tsunoda’s performance in the remaining races of this season, as Red Bull evaluates their driver lineup for the future.
“Tsunoda is a candidate to drive alongside Max in 2025. The remaining races of this season will decide what our driver pairings will look like for next year,” Marko told F1 Insider.
He further explained that the team is closely comparing Tsunoda with Liam Lawson, noting that both drivers will have six races under identical conditions to prove who is the stronger option.
“We decided to compare Lawson and Tsunoda. They have the same material, the same conditions and each now has six races to prove who is the better one.”
Tsunoda, Development and Red Bull’s Driver Strategy
Tsunoda, who has yet to achieve a podium finish in his Formula 1 career, secured a contract extension at the Canadian Grand Prix, a move that came amidst interest from other teams. This suggests Red Bull sees potential in the young Japanese driver and wants to retain him within the team’s pool of pilots.
While Red Bull’s focus remains on immediate results, the team is also considering long-term options for their lineup.
Isack Hadjar, another rising star in the Red Bull academy, is closely watching the situation, potentially hoping for a chance to break into F1 if a vacancy opens.
Current Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez faces increasing pressure to improve his performances, with his seat potentially in jeopardy if he can’t meet the team’s expectations.
Nico Rosberg Holds a Different Opinion
Nico Rosberg, former F1 World Champion, previously commented on why Tsunoda has been overlooked by the main team.
“I think Yuki is doing well, and his peaks are very strong – like [in Singapore], he really did a great qualifying,” Rosberg said on Sky F1.
“The problem is there’s a bit of inconsistency there, then his attitude sometimes, you know, is very aggressive, and that’s why he was looked over this year when they were looking to replace Pérez potentially.”
But Marko’s recent comments indicate that Red Bull is now considering him for a future role. The team continues to build a culture of internal competition to maximize its driver talent pool, ensuring they have strong candidates for any seat that may become available.
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