Yuki Tsunoda is reportedly set to leave Red Bull by the end of the 2025 season as his contract approaches expiration, with emerging reports highlighting ongoing difficulties in adapting to the team in Milton Keynes. The Japanese driver, promoted to Red Bull’s senior roster after only two races in 2025, has struggled to find consistency, fueling speculation about his future.
After replacing Liam Lawson following the Chinese Grand Prix, Tsunoda was expected to bring more steady performances to the team. However, his results have been underwhelming, accumulating just seven points so far this year and failing to score in the last five races. While Red Bull has publicly insisted that Tsunoda will remain through the season, media outlets such as GPBlog have indicated that his contract will not be extended beyond 2025.
Mixed Signals on Contract Status and Tsunoda’s Performance Struggles
Though GPBlog reports that Red Bull is set to terminate Tsunoda’s contract at season’s end, Red Bull has officially denied these claims in a public statement. Regardless, the driver’s need for significant performance improvements is clear if he hopes to maintain his position within the Austrian squad. His underwhelming record contributes to uncertainty about his long-term role in the team’s lineup.
Previously, Tsunoda maintained a productive relationship with Laurent Mekies, who has recently taken over as Red Bull’s team principal, succeeding Christian Horner. With Mekies’s leadership, there may yet be opportunities for Tsunoda to regain form and stability before the season closes.
Setbacks at Silverstone Highlight Tsunoda’s Difficult Season
Tsunoda described feeling “lost” during the British Grand Prix, where he finished last among the cars still running. His race was further disrupted by a collision with Ollie Bearman, resulting in a 10-second penalty. The combination of incidents and challenging conditions contributed to one of his toughest outings of the year.
“When it comes to the long run, it’s something that always is very outstandingly slow somehow. Just ‘degging’ [the tyres] like crazy. I never had like this kind of feeling,” said Tsunoda. —Yuki Tsunoda
“I know we were running quite low downforce, but to be honest I had still good confidence in the rain. The rain pace was absolutely nowhere, so I’m a bit lost,” he added. —Yuki Tsunoda
This admission underlines the challenges Tsunoda faces in adapting to Red Bull’s car setup and race conditions, marking a difficult phase in his career.
Future Prospects as Tsunoda’s Red Bull Role Remains Uncertain
If Tsunoda’s term at Red Bull ends as reported, the driver might find himself without a Formula 1 seat in the upcoming 2026 season. Nevertheless, speculation surrounds potential moves to other teams, including Cadillac and Aston Martin. The connection with Aston Martin is particularly notable because of Honda’s partnership with the British outfit, which could open doors given Tsunoda’s Japanese background and ties to Honda.
As the season advances, Tsunoda’s performance in the remaining races could prove decisive for his career trajectory, determining whether he secures a future within Formula 1 or seeks opportunities elsewhere.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Yuki Tsunoda ever win a race?
A. Yuki Tsunoda started his journey to Formula One in 2016, entering the Japanese F4 championship at Suzuka. He achieved 10 race wins in the series. Additionally, he reached the podium 18 times, secured 12 pole positions, and recorded five fastest laps.
