Marko ends speculation about Red Bull Racing’s second seat, notoriously one of the most precarious positions in the Formula One paddock, has found temporary stability. Amid swirling rumours and ongoing speculation over driver performance and mid-season changes, Red Bull’s Motorsport Advisor Dr Helmut Marko has put a firm stop to the chatter – at least for now.

Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, promoted from VCARB to the senior team for the 2025 season, will not be facing an early exit. According to Marko, his position alongside Max Verstappen is secure for the remainder of the year.

Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull has been the subject of intense debate among pundits and fans alike, especially after a rocky start. But Marko’s latest comments leave little doubt. “Yuki Tsunoda will finish the season,” declared Marko in an interview with Formel1.de, silencing suggestions that another driver change could be in the cards.

 

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The announcement comes in the wake of Tsunoda’s official promotion to Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka – a symbolic moment for the 24-year-old driver, who has spent four seasons with Red Bull’s sister team, formerly AlphaTauri and now rebranded as VCARB.

While fans had been expecting a longer look at rookie Liam Lawson – who has filled in briefly in previous campaigns and was widely tipped as a potential heir to the Red Bull number two seat – the team instead opted for experience. Lawson, despite his undoubted talent and impressive performances as a substitute, will once again have to wait his turn.

According to Marko, the decision was not taken lightly.

“Yuki is really strong after his fourth season, also as a whole personality,” he explained. “He is much stronger physically and seems more confident.”

The Tsunoda Red Bull sees now, Marko insists, is far more stable and mature than the one who finished the 2024 season.

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Maturity and momentum give Tsunoda his chance

Despite his relatively short stature and often fiery radio messages, Tsunoda has undergone a noticeable transformation – both in and out of the car. Once known more for his raw speed and unpredictability, the Japanese driver has gradually developed a more composed and tactical approach, which has not gone unnoticed in the Red Bull hierarchy.

Marko made it clear that Tsunoda’s promotion wasn’t based on potential alone, but rather a reflection of his current form.

“At the end of 2024 he wasn’t as reliable as he had been in the winter tests, in Melbourne and in Shanghai,” admitted Marko.

“He had ups and downs, like the two crashes in Mexico. He just wasn’t as consistent as he is now.”

That change in consistency seems to be what finally tipped the scales in Tsunoda’s favour. Now, with the confidence of his team behind him, he’s been given the opportunity to prove himself on one of F1’s biggest stages – alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

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Strategic thinking: Why Red Bull chose Tsunoda over Lawson

The timing of the move is also strategic. With Red Bull no longer enjoying the dominance of previous seasons, the team has had to rethink its approach. According to Marko, having an experienced and more adaptable driver alongside Verstappen is crucial to their efforts to defend the title in what’s shaping up to be a much tighter championship battle.

“We want to win our fifth world championship with Max,” Marko explained.

“The car is difficult and not the fastest. So it’s very important to have a second driver with whom we can work strategically in the races”.

That calculation favours Tsunoda over Lawson, who – despite his promise – has yet to be tested in the pressure cooker of a full-time seat at the top level.

Marko was also quick to address the perception that Lawson had been unfairly sidelined.

“He has not been demoted,” he insisted. In fact, the 23-year-old New Zealander is now stepping into a car that’s arguably easier to handle than the current RB21. With VCARB showing increased competitiveness in the early races of 2025, Lawson could be in a strong position to impress and stake his claim for a future Red Bull seat without being thrown into the deep end mid-season.

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Crucial period ahead for Tsunoda

For Tsunoda, the coming months represent both an opportunity and an ordeal. After four years in a development role, this is his first real taste of the pressure that comes with driving for a top team – one where results are demanded and the margin for error is minimal.

He’ll also have to prove that he can not only stay close to Verstappen in terms of performance, but also contribute strategically during races. Red Bull’s current technical challenges make it imperative that both drivers are in sync with the team’s tactics, especially with the field now more evenly matched than it has been for several years.

There is also the not-so-small matter of his long-term future. Red Bull’s revolving door policy for second drivers is well documented. Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, the team has gone through Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Sergio Perez – none of whom have managed to keep the seat long-term. Tsunoda will be well aware of that history and the pressure that comes with it.

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What the fans and paddock are saying

Reaction to the announcement has been mixed, but generally supportive. Tsunoda, once considered a wildcard, has steadily earned the respect of the entire paddock. His improved consistency and growing racecraft have turned him into a driver capable of challenging the midfield on a regular basis – and now, potentially, someone who can help Red Bull in their fight at the front.

Social media was abuzz following Marko’s comments, with many fans in Japan celebrating the news that one of their own would be partnering the reigning World Champion for a full season. Meanwhile, Lawson supporters were disappointed, but acknowledged that the New Zealander’s time will come, especially if he continues to impress in his current role.

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The final word: A calculated gamble by Red Bull

In a way, Red Bull’s decision is a calculated gamble. By promoting Tsunoda now, they’re banking on his new-found maturity and performance to provide the consistency they need. But the second seat at Red Bull has never been easy, and expectations will only rise as the season progresses.

If Tsunoda can rise to the occasion, it could finally break the team’s cycle of short-lived second drivers. But if he falters, Red Bull have shown no hesitation in making swift and decisive changes. For now, however, Dr Helmut Marko has drawn a clear line in the sand: Yuki Tsunoda will finish the season. The rest is up to him.

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The good Dr. Helmut Marko, advisor to the Red Bull energy empire and head of the Red Bull young driver programme, is hastily doing the media rounds following the shock announcement that Red Bull were demoting the latest team mate of world champion Max Verstappen.

Red Bull started the 2024 season having smashed pretty much every F1 record there is the previous year, winning 21 of the 22 Grand Prix, claiming the constructors’ title with Max leading a 1-2 finish in the drivers’ title race.

And there were no early signs of trouble in Milton Keynes come the start of last season as Verstappen claimed victory in four of the opening five rounds and only losing out in Australia due to a huge brake failure as he was leading the race. Perez to was doing his part to continue the team’s record breaking run converting three of his team mate’s victories into 1-2 finishes along with a third place in China… READ MORE ON THIS STORY