Yuki Tsunoda may be seriously considering his future within the Red Bull programme. That’s after the team decided to hand Sergio Perez a two-year extension.
If Perez sees out the full duration of his new deal and world champion Max Verstappen rejects interest from Mercedes – both of which are decently-sized ‘ifs’ – then Tsunoda will have to wait until 2027 for a shot at graduating to Red Bull. He may not have that kind of patience.
After all, he’ll feel that his form this season merits a promotion. He’s been wiping the floor with RB teammate Daniel Ricciardo, an eight-time Grand Prix winner and one of the most respected drivers on the grid.
Tsunoda has out-scored Ricciardo by 19 points to five and thrashed him 7-1 in their qualifying battle. He sits inside the top 10 in the drivers’ championship, four spots ahead of the Australian.
He’s now 71 races into his Formula 1 career, having joined the team in 2021 when they were known as AlphaTauri. In the past, Red Bull would rarely keep drivers in their junior team for that long without giving them a chance.
However, key figures have two major reservations about Tsunoda. His history of ‘temper flare-ups’ and inconsistency out on track meant that Christian Horner and co. didn’t give much thought to signing him for 2025.
Yuki Tsunoda in the running for Aston Martin seat
According to Speedcafe, the decision to retain Perez makes Tsunoda’s exit an inevitability. The only question is whether he looks for a way out now or in a year’s time.
There’s a ‘good possibility’ that he joins RB’s midfield rivals Aston Martin, who have started 79 races and scored nine podiums. Aston will begin an exclusive engine supply with Tsunoda’s backers Honda in 2026.
That could get him in the door at Silverstone, though again the timeline is unclear. It’s possible that he makes the move for the 2025 season, but he may also have to bide his time.
Fernando Alonso signed a new contract with Lawrence Stroll’s team earlier in the year and is now committed until the end of 2026. Alonso is unlikely to walk away until he’s seen how they fare under the new regulations.
Tsunoda’s best bet, then, is Lance Stroll moving on. Given that his father owns the team, that would have to be of his own volition, although the 25-year-old has previously sounded non-committal about his future.
Audi also interested in Tsunoda for 2025
Tsunoda has openly spoken of the possibility that he could race for Aston Martin. But while his Honda links make him a strong contender, a seat may not be open.
Another intriguing option would be to join Audi. The German manufacturer will join the grid in 2026 when they take control of the Sauber team.
There are many in the F1 paddock who have doubts about their initial competitiveness. Tsunoda may have to take a couple of years in the pain, but in the long run Audi’s financial might will surely see them climb the grid.
They want to be winning titles by 2031, and while that’s far easier said than done, this appears to be his best bet of realising his ultimate ambition. With a move for Carlos Sainz looking unlikely, there were ‘whispers’ in Monaco that Tsunoda was the top candidate to partner Nico Hulkenberg next year.
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