With Sergio Perez signing a brand new deal at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, Tsunoda noticed his slim probabilities of being promoted to the primary crew vanish, and the Japanese driver was extensively anticipated to stay at RB as a substitute.
The Anglo-Italian outfit has now confirmed it has taken up the choice to preserve the long-time Red Bull junior and Honda protege on the squad for the 2025 season, which shall be his fifth with the crew since making his F1 debut in 2021.
“I’m very happy to be staying with RB and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year,” 24-year-old Tsunoda stated.
“For that, I would like to thank everybody at Red Bull and Honda who’ve performed such an essential position in my profession and can proceed to achieve this.
“It’s great to know that everyone appreciates all the hard work I have put in and that the team believes I can help it move further up the grid. We have already made clear progress this season and that really motivates me to always give my best.”
Tsunoda has been one of many standout drivers in 2024 as he matured into a gentle performer to match his pure flip of pace.
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Thus far he has scored 19 factors to maintain 10th within the drivers’ championship, virtually single-handedly conserving RB in sixth place of the constructors’ standings.
While team-mate Daniel Ricciardo’s long-term future stays unclear, as Red Bull additionally has reserve driver Liam Lawson ready within the wings, retaining Tsunoda was a no brainer for crew boss Laurent Mekies.
“I watched Yuki’s progress in Formula 1 with interest even before I returned to Faenza and it’s been impressive, year after year,” Mekies stated.
“The step up he has made this yr is solely phenomenal, and he retains shocking us all, race after race.
“There’s no doubting his natural speed to which he has now added a much more mature approach and this combination makes him a very quick and consistent performer, and a great team player.”
Team CEO Peter Bayer added: “Yuki is a graduate of each the Red Bull and Honda junior driver programmes and it is thanks to a great job from all events that he is been in a position to attain his present degree of efficiency.
“He is a valuable asset on and off the race track, as his engaging nature has made him very popular with fans around the world. We are excited that he is staying with us.”