Christian Horner has conceded that Red Bull might need to release Yuki Tsunoda from its Formula 1 operations due to limited opportunities for the Japanese driver.
Tsunoda has been routinely overlooked by Red Bull for a promotion to the senior squad.
Despite having seen off Nick De Vries, Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson in comparative head-to-heads, Tsunoda is set for a fifth season at the sister squad Racing Bulls next year.
That is because Red Bull opted to take Lawson as Sergio Perez’s replacement, despite the Kiwi having just 11 Grand Prix starts to Tsunoda’s 87.
With one of Racing Bull’s remits being to nurture talent ahead of a Red Bull promotion, Horner explained that it’s not sustainable to keep Tsunoda in Faenza for much longer.
The Red Bull Team Principal said [via The Race]: “We’re acutely aware that if we’re not able to provide an opportunity for Yuki – being, in all honesty, this year [2025] – does it make sense [to keep him]?
“You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years,” Horner added.
“You can’t always be the bridesmaid.
“You’ve either got to let them go at that point or look at something different.”
Assessing Tsunoda’s options outside of Red Bull
Despite out-qualifying and out-racing Lawson across six Grands Prix in 2024, Tsunoda was unable to prove he was worthy beyond the New Zealander for a Red Bull drive in 2024.
Red Bull saw that the tight margins in qualifying and Lawson’s comparatively strong race pace to Tsunoda after just 11 starts gave him a higher ceiling than his more experienced counterpart.
Earlier this year, Tsundoa signed an extension to stay at Racing Bull but in light of this week’s developments and Horner’s comments, the Japanese driver must surely look beyond the Red Bull programme to continue his F1 future.
However, with several teams locking drivers down to long-term deals through 2025, ’26 and beyond, Tsunoda’s options could be limited.
Still, Cadillac’s arrival on the 2026 F1 grid provides Tsunoda with a golden opportunity to lead a project at the start of its GP journey, but he will have to contest with the likes of Valtteri Bottas, Franco Colapinto and Sergio Perez for that seat and any more that open up.
Alpine, too, could be a viable option for Tsunoda.
The Enstone-based outfit has signed its 2024 reserve driver Jack Doohan for a full campaign next year, but should the Australian fail to pass scrutiny with Team Principal Oliver Oakes and Advisor Flavio Briatore, Tsunoda could find himself knocking on the team’s door.
An Alpine signing would be fitting, as it would reunite Tsunoda with long-time friend and former AlphaTauri team-mate Pierre Gasly and give the squad a bonafide duo akin to the Gasly/Esteban Ocon combination in 2024.
Moreover, Tsunoda’s strong connection with Honda – perhaps a reason Red Bull cooled its interest in him – could provide an opportunity with Aston Martin.
With Honda becoming the Aston Martin works engine supplier from 2026, Tsunoda could have a team ready and waiting for him in the near future.
However, such a move wouldn’t be possible until 2027 at the earliest with Fernando Alonos contracted through 2026 and Lance Stroll apparently having tenure at his father’s team.
READ MORE – Why Red Bull had to axe Sergio Perez and chose Liam Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda for F1 2025
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