Tsunoda Out at Red Bull, Faces Uncertain Future in Formula 1
Zandvoort, Netherlands – Yuki Tsunoda has been released from his Red Bull Racing contract, marking a notable shift for the Japanese driver and casting uncertainty over his future in Formula 1. The decision,announced today,concludes Tsunoda’s five-year association with the Red Bull program,beginning with alphatauri in 2021 and briefly extending to a promotion within the senior team earlier this season.
The move comes as a “hard blow” for tsunoda,who struggled to consistently deliver results expected of a Red Bull driver.Despite a promising start to his career, he failed to capitalize on opportunities within the championship-leading team, finishing fifteenth in the World Cup standings with 33 points – a stark contrast to teammate Max Verstappen’s title contention.The departure raises questions about Red Bull’s driver lineup and the potential for new talent to emerge within the junior program.
Tsunoda’s initial elevation to the first team in 2023 was short-lived,replacing Liam Lawson after just two races. However, he was unable to replicate the success verstappen achieved in the same car, never challenging for a podium finish.His best result of the season was a sixth-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, falling short of his career-best fourth place achieved in Abu Dhabi during his debut year.
Red Bull Racing team boss Laurent Mekies acknowledged Tsunoda’s development,stating,”In his five years so far in Formula 1,Yuki has developed into a complete driver.He is fast over one lap in qualifying on Saturday. And on Sundays he has demonstrated his excellent driving skills.” Despite the positive assessment, Mekies’ statement did not offer any indication of future plans for Tsunoda within the Red Bull organization.
The decision follows a season marked by inconsistencies and errors, including a qualifying crash at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.As Tsunoda navigates his options, the Formula 1 landscape awaits to see where the 24-year-old driver will land, and whether he can reignite his career elsewhere on the grid.
