Red Bull’s commitment to Sergio Perez – In a significant move in June, Red Bull announced that it had re-signed Sergio Perez to a two-year deal, ensuring that the Mexican driver will remain alongside Max Verstappen until at least the 2026 season. The decision came despite ongoing speculation about Perez’s future, particularly in light of his inconsistent performances. Perez’s re-signing followed a performance review just before the summer break, which he passed somewhat controversially, temporarily cementing his position within the team.
Perhaps a surprise would be that Yuki Tsunoda who drives for the junior Red Bull team VCARB, still believes he has a chance for promotion to replace Perez, in spite of his backing by Honda. The manufacturer is set to sever all links when the new engine rules come into force in 2026, becoming a works team with Aston Martin.
Perez hangs on…
Red Bull’s decision to stick with Perez has had a ripple effect throughout the driver market, influencing decisions and opportunities for other drivers. Most notably, it set in motion a series of changes, including the departure of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, who has since joined Williams in a surprise move.
But it also had a direct impact on Red Bull’s wider driver line-up, including Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson, all of whom have ambitions to race for the main Red Bull team.
The commitment to Perez, a driver who has shown flashes of good performances but has also struggled to consistently match Verstappen’s pace, indicates Red Bull’s desire for stability in the short term. However, the decision has inevitably delayed the ambitions of other drivers in the Red Bull pipeline, most notably Yuki Tsunoda, whose impressive performances this season have sparked discussions about his future.
Tsunoda’s position within Red Bull in question
Of the trio of drivers waiting in the wings, Yuki Tsunoda has been the standout performer in 2024, making a compelling case for promotion to the senior team. The Japanese driver has come on leaps and bounds since entering Formula One, and his consistent results with AlphaTauri have positioned him as a potential candidate for the coveted Red Bull Racing seat. However, with Perez’s contract extension, Tsunoda’s wait for a Red Bull Racing seat looks set to continue, much to the disappointment of his growing fan base.
The complexity of Tsunoda’s situation extends beyond his on-track performance. His backing by Honda, a key partner of Red Bull, adds another layer to his career trajectory. While Honda’s support has been instrumental in Tsunoda’s rise through the ranks, it also raises questions about his long-term prospects with Red Bull, especially as the team’s partnership with Honda is set to end after the 2025 season.
Honda associations
There is growing speculation within the paddock that Tsunoda’s close association with Honda could be a double-edged sword when it comes to securing a promotion to Red Bull’s senior team. The perception that Tsunoda is primarily a Honda-backed driver could mean that Red Bull may be reluctant to fully commit to him as a long-term fixture alongside Verstappen, particularly as the team looks to a future beyond Honda.
This uncertainty may explain why Tsunoda himself has expressed a desire for more clarity and commitment from Red Bull.
“I would like to see more commitment from the contract,” said Tsunoda earlier this year.
“Obviously I’m already very committed to Red Bull, and hopefully I can get a bit more commitment from them.” His statement reflects a growing unease about his position within the team, and underlines the potential tensions that could exist due to his ties to Honda. Despite his public reassurances that he is happy with his current situation, it is clear that Tsunoda would like greater certainty about his future.
Growing interest from rival teams
While Tsunoda awaits his opportunity at Red Bull Racing, his impressive performances have not gone unnoticed by other teams in the paddock. He has revealed that he has received interest from rival teams, giving him potential options should he need to consider a ‘Plan B’ for his career.
“The good thing is that the other teams are starting to be interested in me,” said Tsunoda.
“I also have some options from the others, which is growing.” This interest from other teams serves as a reminder of Tsunoda’s value on the grid and highlights the growing recognition of his talent throughout the Formula One community.
Despite this outside interest, Tsunoda remains focused on his current journey with Red Bull. He has made it clear that his priority is to continue his journey within the Red Bull ecosystem, which has been integral to his career progression to date.
“First of all, my priority is Red Bull,” reiterated Tsunoda. “I want to make sure we’re on the same page, because Red Bull has been a part of my life so far, and without them I wouldn’t be able to achieve as much as I have.”
Tsunoda’s loyalty to Red Bull is evident, but his acknowledgement of outside interest also suggests that he is keeping his options open should Red Bull fail to provide the commitment he seeks.
However, Tsunoda’s admission that he has “a few options” outside of Red Bull could be seen as a strategic move to pressure the team into offering a greater commitment, especially given the potential uncertainties surrounding his Honda affiliation. The F1 driver market is notoriously volatile and Tsunoda’s openness to exploring other options could be a calculated attempt to secure his future, whether with Red Bull or elsewhere.
A future with Red Bull?
While Sergio Perez’s two-year contract extension has temporarily blocked Tsunoda’s path to the senior team, the young driver continues to impress with his performances at VCARB.
Yet despite his association with Honday, his confidence in his abilities and willingness to step up to Red Bull Racing, as he recently expressed in an interview with Motorsport.com, underline his ambition and determination.
“They know my performance and they are happy with it. That’s why they extended my contract for next year, so it’s pretty clear,” said Tsunoda.
“I just have to keep performing, keep satisfying them and hopefully things will fall into place. I’m still focusing on what I can do, but obviously I feel ready to fight in higher positions and against better teams, and also against Max [Verstappen]. But it’s up to them.”
Marko: Ricciardo not good enough
“I feel like I’m a more complete driver,”
Tsunoda’s development as a driver has been evident, with noticeable improvements in his emotional control and maturity, qualities essential for success in a top team like Red Bull. “I feel like I’m a more complete driver,” he continued. “When I look back, even if my lap, my performance or my driving was good, I was lacking a lot of emotional control on the radio. That’s a step I’ve taken when I compare myself to Daniel [Ricciardo], for example. And if you want to join a top team, these are important things because they expect a more complete driver.
Tsunoda’s self-assessment suggests a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of motorsport. His comparisons with experienced drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo show that he is aware of the importance of experience and composure, traits that Red Bull will no doubt take into account when deciding on their future driver line-up.
Marko SHOCK change of heart over Norris/Piastri
The uncertain road ahead
As the summer break comes to an end and the Formula One season resumes, the future of Red Bull’s driver line-up remains one of the most intriguing stories on the grid. With Perez’s contract in place but his performance under scrutiny, and Tsunoda making a strong case for promotion, Red Bull face a complex decision-making process.
The question remains: will Red Bull fully commit to a driver whose career is so closely tied to Honda, especially as the partnership nears its end? For Tsunoda, securing a long-term future with Red Bull may depend not only on his on-track performance, but also on navigating the complex dynamics of team politics and sponsorship relationships.
Red Bull has a history of making bold and sometimes unexpected decisions when it comes to driver line-ups, often prioritising immediate performance over long-term potential. Tsunoda’s situation is further complicated by the presence of other talented drivers within the Red Bull stable, such as Daniel Ricciardo, who is eyeing a return to the senior team, and Liam Lawson, who is seen as a rising star.
READ MORE: Ricciardo dismisses Marko’s opinion
MORE F1 NEWS: 2-time Indycar winner to Audi F1?
Alex Palou emerges as a very hot contender for Audi Formula 1 seat in 2025. As Audi prepare for their official entry into Formula One in 2026, speculation is mounting as to who will join Nico Hulkenberg on the grid. With Sauber’s 2025 line-up yet to be confirmed, the German manufacturer is exploring a number of options, with some unexpected names being floated as potential candidates.
Among them is two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou, whose name has recently emerged as a wildcard contender for one of the most coveted seats in motorsport…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
