Red Bull Advisor Reveals Yuki Tsunoda Was Coveted by Rival Formula 1 Teams
In a recent interview, Helmut Marko, advisor to Red Bull, disclosed that Yuki Tsunoda was highly sought after by rival Formula 1 teams before the announcement of his contract extension with AlphaTauri for the 2025 season. This news comes on the heels of Red Bull’s decision to retain Tsunoda, exercising an option in his contract, which was made public last weekend in Canada.
Tsunoda has had an impressive start to the season, securing five points finishes in nine races, surpassing his more established teammate Daniel Ricciardo by 10 points. Despite this, he was not considered for a promotion to the parent Red Bull team, with Sergio Perez instead signing a two-year contract extension.
Marko attributed Tsunoda’s retention to his significant improvement since joining Formula 1, highlighting his ability to limit mistakes and manage his emotions. “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,” Marko stated in an interview with Le Journal de Montreal.
Regarding Ricciardo’s chances of rejoining Red Bull, Marko emphasized that the Australian driver needed to outperform Tsunoda at AlphaTauri, which hasn’t been the case this season. “Daniel had to beat Yuki at Racing Bulls. This year, that is not the case. Rather, it is the opposite that occurs.”
Tsunoda expressed relief at having his future for 2025 resolved early in the season and is excited about AlphaTauri’s 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. He added that he would have regretted leaving AlphaTauri if the team continued to improve without him.
The Japanese driver is committed to supporting the team’s project, acknowledging the role of Red Bull and Honda in his career. “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.”
As the Formula 1 calendar progresses, Tsunoda’s retention is a significant boost to AlphaTauri’s ambitions, and his continued growth will be closely watched by fans and teams alike. With the Formula 1 news and standings constantly shifting, Red Bull’s decision to retain Tsunoda could prove pivotal in the season’s outcome.
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