The RB Formula 1 team has confirmed half of its 2025 driver lineup and announced Yuki Tsunoda will remain with the outfit for the 2025 season.
The re-signing means Liam Lawson’s best chance for a full-time seat next season is in place of Daniel Ricciardo, who remains the only un-signed driver across the two Red Bull-affiliated teams.
“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,” said Tsunoda. “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 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, and laying the groundwork to do even better next year!”
RB Team Principal Laurent Mekies adds, “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.
“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!”
Tsunoda has finished in the points in five of this year’s eight Grand Prix and sits 10th in the Driver’s Championship ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
In contrast, Ricciardo’s sole point-scoring effort came from a fourth-placed finish in the Miami Grand Prix Sprint. He is 14th in the Driver’s Championship but has since qualified fifth for Monday morning’s Canadian Grand Prix.
Header Image: Red Bull Content Pool/Getty Images
Stop dangling that carrot in front of Lawsons face, Release the guy and allow him to grow in the sport with another sponsor who is willing to take him on.