Yuki Tsunoda is among the candidates to be partnered with Max Verstappen at Red Bull in the 2025 Formula 1 season, according to the team’s advisor Helmut Marko.
Tsunoda has produced an impressive season this term as he outscored his more established team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, who has been dropped with six races to go.
But while his exploits have earned him an extension with RB, Red Bull has continued to be unenamoured about the prospect of promoting Tsunoda to the senior team.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner omitted Tsunoda’s name when he revealed that Liam Lawson, who has replaced Ricciardo, might take the place Sergio Perez occupies.
However, Marko has divulged that Tsunoda is an option to slot in alongside Verstappen at the reigning champions next term in case it decides to dispense with Perez.
“Tsunoda is a candidate to drive alongside Max in 2025,” Marko told F1 Insider.
RB drivers braced for Red Bull shootout
Marko has expressed that there are no guarantees over Perez’s position at Red Bull, despite the Mexican having signed a multi-term contract renewal earlier this term.
With Perez sustaining another wretched campaign in 2024, Marko has suggested both Lawson and Tsunoda will have the chance to stake a claim for a Red Bull drive.
“The remaining races of this season will decide what our driver pairings will look like for next year,” he added.
“I can very well imagine that a junior driver will drive alongside Max.
“We decided to compare Lawson and Tsunoda. They have the same material, the same conditions and each now has six races to prove that he is the better one.”
Red Bull returning to its roots
The Austrian has indicated that Red Bull possesses a desire to return to its roots in promoting drivers that have come through its illustrious development programme.
“We started with the philosophy of giving young drivers a chance in Formula 1,” says Marko.
“Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo are just three examples.
“The others are now following this philosophy.
“Mercedes is giving Kimi Antonelli a chance, Haas Oliver Bearman, Williams Franco Colapinto and it seems that, fortunately, Audi is now seriously considering the young Mick Schumacher.”
READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda reveals stance on F1 prospects amid Red Bull hopes
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