Yuki Tsunoda contract: RB star's future confirmed after SHOCK driver announcement

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RB star's future confirmed after SHOCK driver announcement

The Japanese driver's career beyond 2024 was in some doubt

Rhys Thomas

Sunday 9 June 2024 10:20 Updated: 12:29

Yuki Tsunoda's outperforming of Daniel Ricciardo throughout the 2024 season has earned the Visa Cash App RB star a shiny new contract.

The Japanese driver was confirmed to be staying on with the team during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, with a new one-year deal taking him up to 2025.

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It means that Ricciardo remains in the dark about whether he will still be at the team next season, having struggled in comparison to Tsunoda in the first eight races of the season.

However, a fifth-placed qualifying start in Canada will have done wonders for his prospects, with the Australian using it as an opportunity to get back at some of his critics, including Jacques Villeneuve.

Daniel Ricciardo's F1 future is still not confirmed

Why are Red Bull sticking with Tsunoda?

The Red Bull family is all Tsunoda has known in Formula 1, and it will remain that way at least until the end of the 2025 season.

The 24-year-old has impressed so far this season, but was overlooked for a drive at the senior Red Bull team when Sergio Perez's contract was extended until 2026.

However, Tsunoda remains in the group, and says he is happy to do so.

“I’m very happy to be staying with Visa Cash App RB [Racing Bulls] and it’s a good feeling to have my future decided so early in the year,” he commented.

“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."

Yuki Tsunoda has out-performed Daniel Ricciardo in 2024

Tsunoda’s form has attracted attention in 2024, with the driver racking up 19 points compared to Ricciardo’s five and out-qualifying the Australian 7-2, including seven Q3 appearances.

Clearly, that has impressed his bosses. Team principal Laurent 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.

More Yuki? We like the sound of that 😮‍💨

Our number 22 has put pen to paper and is staying with the team for 2025 🤝 pic.twitter.com/rT61mlJOYa
— Visa Cash App RB F1 Team (@visacashapprb) June 8, 2024

VCARB CEO Peter Bayer added: “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.”

Red Bull Max Verstappen Daniel Ricciardo Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls