Yuki Tsunoda's strong 2024 campaign with Visa Cash App RB is keeping him firmly in the frame for a possible promotion to Red Bull Racing in the future, according to team CEO Peter Bayer.
While Tsunoda recently received a contract extension with Red Bull’s sister outfit, speculation swirled around a possible mid-season call-up to replace the struggling Sergio Perez.
Tsunoda has consistently outperformed his more experienced teammate Daniel Ricciardo this season. Despite this, Red Bull appeared hesitant to pair him alongside championship leader Max Verstappen.
Ricciardo and even reserve driver Liam Lawson were seemingly considered ahead of Tsunoda.
Following Tsunoda's comments suggesting he might explore options outside Red Bull, Bayer has offered a clearer picture of his future.
"Helmut [Marko] said it himself, in German you say a swallow doesn't make a summer,” Bayer told Motorsport.com
“What it means is that if Yuki keeps racing on this level consistently, he will be considered for a seat in Red Bull Racing.
“That’s ultimately exactly our mission and the mission we’ve been given by the shareholders, and if that means that he needs another season next to a very strong Daniel, that could be an option.”
However, Bayer also acknowledged the possibility of a faster track for Tsunoda.
“It could also be an option [to] say that, okay, we now believe he’s ready. So [then] we’ll talk to Liam.
“We’re not in a hurry, despite all the people [who] think we are, because we do have all the options in our hands.”
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At the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Tsunoda expressed his belief that "other factors" influenced Red Bull's decision-making regarding its driver line-up.
This could be perceived as a shot at the team, but RB boss Laurent Mekies sees it as a sign of ambition.
“Yuki is a Red Bull driver. He must have the ambition to drive for Red Bull Racing. If he doesn’t have that – it’s wrong.
“I hope and I trust that he wants more than anything else to drive that car to win races. We also try to help him developing him in that way. So that’s what the business is.
“Was he fully happy to extend with us to drive for us next year?
“Yes, [and] it’s a question for him but because what he tells us is that he is mega ambitious, he can see a team [that] is mega ambitious and the fit is obviously working.
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“It helps him develop, he has paid us back with quite [an] incredible level of performance.
“You expect a lot of things from a young guy between the first and the second year, maybe between the second and the third year,” Mekies added.
“But you don’t expect that sort of phenomenal step between third and fourth, so – yes, he’s faster. Yes, he’s calmer. Yes, he’s better integrating the team, better feedback, hopefully happy!
“But seriously, he has been a reference point in the way that he gets out of the garage on Friday FP1 – and, bang: the first lap, he is there.”
Tsunoda's ambition combined with his on-track performance suggests a productive future within Red Bull.
But whether that future includes a seat at Red Bull Racing in 2025 will depend on his consistency and the team's assessment of his readiness.
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