Visa Cash App RB have confirmed that they have exercised their option to extend Yuki Tsunoda’s contract for 2025 F1.
Yuki Tsunoda will remain at Visa Cash App RB for 2025 F1 after the team exercised its option on the Japanese driver with a one-year contract extension dispelling rumours that he was slated to leave the squad at the end of the season.
The 24-year old started his F1 career in 2021 with the Faenza-based outfit and is currently in his fourth season among the most decorated drivers in motorsport.
Tsunoda’s lack of consistency in his previous campaigns has been superseded with an upward trend in maturity and experience as a result of hard work and dedication that has allowed him to advance his skills.
Tsunoda has enjoyed a standout year in 2024, finishing in the points in five of the eight Formula 1 Grands Prix as well as the Miami GP Sprint. Starring in qualifying and races, the Japanese driver has pulled off some spectacular moves this year with one notable highlight being taking the final point away from Lewis Hamilton during the Miami sprint.
He has outperformed teammate Daniel Ricciardo so far after securing 19 points to date compared to Ricciardo’s five.
“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,” Tsunoda said in a statement released by RB. “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.
“We have already made clear progress this season and that really motivates me to always give of 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!”
Tsunoda’s remarkable growth was emphasized by RB team principal Laurent Mekies, who also emphasized how important the driver-team dynamic and mutual understanding has been crucial to the squad’s continued progress.
“I watched Yuki’s progress in Formula 1 with interest even before I returned to Faenza and it’s been impressive, year after year,” said Mekies. “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.
“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!”
The CEO of RB, Peter Bayer, also expressed his pleasure that Tsunoda had decided to remain with the team.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The Red Bull sister team has not yet made a decision about its second seat. Daniel Ricciardo, the current driver, is an overwhelming favorite to remain at the team, while Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson also hopes to inherit a full-time seat for 2025 F1.
