Yuki Tsunoda ends future speculation by signing F1 contract extension with RB

Yuki Tsunoda has re-sgined with RB for the 2025 season ahead of the 2024 Canadian GP. Having announced the first of their 2025 driver lineup, the Faenza-based team is looking forward to another year with the Japanese driver.

With another name signed in the Red Bull camp, RB stopped Tsunoda from being poached by rival teams. Despite links to Haas, Alpine, and Aston Martin, the 22-year-old has been retained for another year.

The one-year extension remains a point of intrigue, as it allows them to promote the RB driver to the senior team or release him to Aston Martin Honda for 2026.

Pleased with his re-signing, Yuki Tsunoda admitted focusing on the season at hand and hoping to perform better. He has currently outperformed Daniel Ricciardo in six out of eight race weekends and shaken up the driver market for 2025 in the process.

Speaking in a team statement announcing his drive, Tsunoda said:

“I’m very happy to be staying with Visa Cash App RB and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year. For that, I want to thank everyone at Red Bull and Honda who have played such an important role in my career and will continue to do so.

"The team has a big development project ahead and I’m excited to be part of it. 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.”

The Japanese driver then stated his aims for this season.

“We have already made clear progress this season and that really motivates me to always give my best and that’s what I’ll continue to do with VCARB. For the moment, I’m concentrating on the remaining races this season, with the aim of bringing home as many points as possible, always growing with the team, laying the groundwork to do even better next year.”

---

RB bosses praise Yuki Tsunoda as they re-sign him for another year

RB CEOs Peter Bayer and Laurent Mekies were full of praise for Yuki Tsunoda as he signed with the team for another year. Praising his consistency and raw speed, both Bayer and Mekies felt he is the suitable driver for their lineup.

Speaking in a team statement announcing Tsunoda as their driver, Mekies said:

“I watched Yuki’s progress in Formula 1 with interest even before I returned to Faenza and it’s been impressive, year after year. The step up he has made this year is simply phenomenal, and he keeps surprising 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."

The CEO then looked forward to the future with Tsunoda.

“We continue to get a better understanding of what he needs from us and vice versa, so we are progressing together. Yuki, as a driver and the team, as Visa Cash App RB. We share the same ambitions, so there are several good reasons to continue our journey together. He still has a lot to give!”

Bayer also added a few words of praise for the driver:

“Yuki is a graduate of both the Red Bull and Honda Junior Driver programmes and it’s thanks to a good job from all parties that he’s been able to reach his current level of performance. As the saying goes, ‘Never change a winning team’, so we are delighted to confirm Yuki as part of our future. 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.”

Yuki Tsunoda has currently earned 19 out of the 24 points for the team. He has also finished consistently in the points for six out of eight race weekends so far.

After a sensational drive in 2024, the Honda protege was tipped for a more competitive team for the 2025 season and beyond. However, with RB signing the young sensation, he will only be available on the driver market for the 2026 season and beyond.