Yuki Tsunoda’s career at Visa Cash App RB (VCARB or RB) appears to be at a crossroads. Despite delivering strong performances and frequently outpacing his experienced teammate Daniel Ricciardo, the Japanese driver finds himself looking for new opportunities outside the Red Bull umbrella. As reported by Andrew Benson of BBC Sport, Red Bull’s management hasn’t placed enough confidence in the Japanese driver to consider him for advancement within their ranks. Benson commented:
“The impression from the outside is that there is absolutely nothing Tsunoda can do to be considered for a seat at Red Bull – the bosses simply do not rate him highly enough.
“This is why Tsunoda is looking outside Red Bull for job opportunities, even though he owes his seat in F1 to Honda, their engine partner.”
This situation stems partly from the driver’s association with Honda, through which he gained entry into Formula 1. Nevertheless, his prospects within the Red Bull framework are dimming. Specifically, with Aston Martin set to become Honda’s works team from 2026, and drivers like Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll having secured their seats, Tsunoda’s options seem increasingly limited.
Benson elaborates:
“Ironically, he cannot get a seat at Aston Martin, which will be Honda’s works team from 2026, because Fernando Alonso has just signed a new contract there and Lance Stroll is the son of the owner and is not going anywhere.”
Given these circumstances and his contract expiry coming up at the end of 2024, Tsunoda’s exploration of other opportunities is a pragmatic step for his career progression. Despite excelling against Ricciardo, Tsunoda’s achievements have not swayed the decision-makers at Red Bull. Benson added:
“So, Tsunoda is looking at places such as Williams, Haas and Alpine, and it seems he has a decent chance of landing one of those seats in this summer’s driver musical chairs.
“As for his performance at RB, yes, he is beating Daniel Ricciardo regularly and has put in some impressive drives this year. But this is raising more questions about Ricciardo than it is changing minds at Red Bull about Tsunoda.”
With his contract set to expire at the end of the year, and his preference to stay within the Red Bull framework if possible, Tsunoda is nonetheless open to moving where opportunities arise.
Speaking to the media in Monaco, Tsunoda commented on his contract, as quoted by GPBlog:
“So far [I’m] very happy with VCARB. Now that we’re fighting for P7 or P8. Other options and top teams are pretty much taken. We’re the probably strongest team in the midfield at least. Especially when I’m in Red Bull you want to always aim for Red Bull, but if they don’t want me or they’re not expecting me to into the seat…
“If I got an interesting offer that can be better than even VCARB or Red Bull, I’ll think about it. I also have to be loyal to Red Bull, without them I wouldn’t be here and obviously Honda as well and speaking of Honda, maybe Aston Martin, but Aston also they taken by two drivers so it’s very open. But so far I’m happy with VCARB.”
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