Formula 1 team Racing Bulls has extended the contract with Yuki Tsunoda for a further season up to and including 2025 – who will be his team-mate is still open
Yuki Tsunoda will start his fifth Formula 1 season in 2025. The Japanese racing driver was confirmed for another year by his team Racing Bulls on Saturday (June 8). Tsunoda will therefore be racing in Formula 1 until at least the end of 2025
“I am very happy to stay with RB and it is a good feeling that my future has been decided so early in the year,” says the Japanese driver. “For that, I would like to thank everyone at Red Bull and Honda who have played such an important role in my career and will continue to do so.”
“The team has a big development project ahead and I’m looking forward to being part of it. It’s great to know that everyone appreciates the hard work I’ve put in and that the team believes I can help them move up the table,” said the Japanese rider.
“We have already made significant progress this season and that really motivates me to always give my best and I will continue to do that with VCARB.”
“At the moment, I’m focusing on the remaining races this season with the aim of bringing home as many points as possible, developing with the team and laying the foundations to do even better next year,” said Tsunoda.
What Racing Bulls has not announced, however: Who Tsunoda’s teammate will be in 2025. This is despite the fact that the team has confirmed both Formula 1 drivers at the same time on several occasions in the past, including last year for 2024 with Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo.
However, the Italian Formula 1 racing team based in Faenza has remained true to itself when it comes to the duration of its driver contracts: Red Bull traditionally only equips its squad drivers in the “B team” with one-year contracts. The Racing Bulls drivers therefore have to prove themselves year after year and recommend themselves for further employment.
Tsunoda in Formula 1: Waiting for the breakthrough
In three full Formula 1 seasons so far, Tsunoda has scored double-digit points every year for AlphaTauri and (since 2024) Racing Bulls. He finished 14th in the drivers’ standings in both 2021 and 2023
His best performance in a Formula 1 race to date dates back to his debut season in 2021: Tsunoda finished fourth in the AT02 in the final race in Abu Dhabi.
2024 promises to be Tsunoda’s best Formula 1 season to date: After eight Grands Prix with points on five race weekends so far, Tsunoda is in P10 in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings with 19 points and is doing particularly well in the Racing Bulls team duel against Ricciardo: In a direct comparison with the eight-time Formula 1 race winner, he clearly leads in both qualifying and the race.
Team boss praises “phenomenal” move
“I’ve been following Yuki’s progress in Formula 1 with interest since before my return to Faenza, and it’s been impressive year after year,” says Team Principal Laurent Mekies. “The step up he has made this year is simply phenomenal, and he continues to surprise us all, race after race.”
“There is no doubting his natural speed, to which he has now added a much more mature approach. This combination makes him a very fast and consistent driver and a great team player,” he praises.
“We understand better and better what he needs from us and vice versa, so we are developing together, Yuki as a rider and the team,” says Mekies. “We have the same ambitions, so there are several good reasons to continue our journey together. He still has a lot to give!”
Managing Director Peter Bayer adds: “Yuki is a graduate of both the Red Bull and Honda Junior programs, and it is thanks to the good work of everyone involved that he has been able to reach his current level of performance.”
“As the saying goes, ‘Never change a winning team’, so we are delighted to confirm Yuki as part of our future. He is very valuable both on and off the track, as his engaging nature has endeared him to fans around the world. We are delighted that he is staying with us. “
