Tsunoda's Future with Red Bull in Doubt

Yuki Tsunoda's prospects for advancement within the Red Bull family are dwindling, as team principal Christian Horner noted that his new teammate, Isack Hadjar, outperformed him during recent testing. This situation raises concerns about Tsunoda’s long-term position with VCARB, particularly as contracts in support teams typically do not extend beyond five years. Although Tsunoda has shown strong performances and has the backing of Honda, Hadjar's impressive speed during the Abu Dhabi post-season test has intensified scrutiny over Tsunoda's future alignment with Red Bull beyond 2025.

Hadjar's stand-out performance has garnered attention, with Horner praising his impressive lap times ahead of his debut season with Racing Bulls. Despite Hadjar's failure to clinch the Formula 2 title due to technical issues, his consistent talent shone throughout the season. As he steps into Formula 1, Hadjar acknowledged Tsunoda as a role model, highlighting the significant challenge that awaits him in this new competitive arena. Amid speculation regarding Sergio Perez's potential exit, both Hadjar and Tsunoda were viewed as contenders for redirection within the team, though Lawson has now been chosen as Verstappen's new teammate. Consequently, Tsunoda's future with Red Bull remains uncertain, with Horner emphasizing the importance of adaptability in the fast-paced realm of Formula 1.