Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that Yuki Tsunoda was “in demand” at rival Formula 1 teams prior to the news that RB has elected to retain him in 2025.
RB announced last weekend in Canada that it has exercised an option in Tsunoda’s deal to ensure that he will enter a fifth campaign with the Italian squad next term.
Tsunoda has produced an impressive start to this season with five points finishes in nine races to lie 10 points clear of more established team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
However, those exploits haven’t been enough to earn him a coveted promotion to the parent Red Bull team as Sergio Perez has penned a two-year contract extension.
But despite that, Red Bull was eager to not lose Tsunoda’s services and Marko has disclosed that teams elsewhere on the grid with vacancies have shown an interest.
Regarding Ricciardo’s chances at a Red Bull return amid an inconsistent campaign to date, Marko told Le Journal de Montreal: “Daniel had to beat Yuki at Racing Bulls.
“This year, that is not the case. Rather, it is the opposite that occurs.
“Yuki has changed a lot since his arrival in F1. He has really improved in his development. He is an emotional driver and he manages to limit his mistakes.
“He was in demand by other teams. He is young and he fits our mould. That’s why we’ve just extended his contract for another year.”
Tsunoda issued that he would have harboured regret in the circumstance where he had departed RB and the Faenza-based squad continued to improve on from sixth.
The Japanese driver admitted he was relieved to have his future for 2025 resolved this soon into the season and expressed excitement about RB’s potential prospects.
“Yeah, I think that being able to clear [that] clears up my mind, and in the end VCARB is performing well and this is a team I’m scoring points a lot,” Tsunoda said.
“And it would have been sad going to another team and see that VCARB ended up in a nice position.
“But no, jokes side actually, always Red Bull and Honda were part of my career. Me and Red Bull, it’s all aligned with the current situation for myself and for the future.
“So, just keep focusing on what I’m doing, and I’m very happy that I’m able to support this team for this big project.”
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