Getty Image
Audio By Carbonatix
Yuki Tsunoda will finish the 2025 Formula 1 season with the Red Bull team. Don’t believe us? Just ask team advisor Helmut Marko, who ensured as much in an exclusive interview with German website Formel1.de. Tsunoda, who spent his first four seasons in F1 racing for Red Bull’s partner team, was recently promoted to replace rookie Liam Lawson, who last just two races with the team.
“Yuki Tsunoda will finish the season,” Marko told the site. “”Yuki Tsunoda is a fast driver, we know that, but he’s had his ups and downs. That’s why we thought Lawson was the better and stronger candidate. But Yuki has undergone a transformation. He changed his management, and in this situation, this was simply the best option.”
Marko’s comments don’t instill much confidence, however. Red Bull has been notoriously flaky in recent years when it comes to finding a teammate to pair with superstar Max Verstappen. Prior to Lawson, Verstappen and Red Bull had burned through several other second drivers. Pierre Gasly lasted just 12 races, while Alex Albon lasted just 26. Only Daniel Ricciardo and and Sergio Perez lasted at least two full seasons.
In his career, Verstappen has burned through five different teams, with Tsunoda marking the sixth. However, none of the previous five drivers have spoken ill of the four-time Dutch world champion. Instead, they’ve often struggled to find pace in a car that suits Verstappen’s impressively on the edge style. But Marko has shown complete faith in Tsunoda’s abilities.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, takes the step up to replace his former teammate at VCARB racing.
“Hey guys, Yuki here! I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team and to the amazing VCARB fans for such an incredible ride and so many special memories,” he said in a message to his now previous team. “I’m staying in the Red Bull family so I won’t be far. I’ll see you guys around the paddock.”