Earlier this year, Yuki Tsunoda inked a new contract with Visa RB. Amidst the turmoil within Red Bull, the young Japanese driver committed himself to the subsidiary team for another year. His priority is to move up to Max Verstappen’s team, but he’s also looking beyond the Red Bull family. With four years of experience under his belt, Tsunoda knows there are opportunities elsewhere.
Yuki Tsunoda clarified in the Beyond The Grid podcast that Red Bull remains his priority. He joined the Austrian’s training program in 2019, which earned him his first seat in Formula 1 in 2021. When discussing his future goals, he emphasizes the importance of his current employer.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Ambition to Join Red Bull
“My priority is a seat at Red Bull,” says Yuki Tsunoda. The recent turmoil within the team and the lack of performance compared to McLaren and Ferrari have not changed this. “I’ve wanted to race there since my debut in Formula 1,” he explained. “They have one of the fastest cars on the grid. I want to be able to drive that car and show my potential.”
Future Outside Red Bull?
According to Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull offers him the chance to compete at the forefront. At Visa RB and the former AlphaTauri, he has had little taste of the top of Formula 1 – Tsunoda has never advanced beyond the fourth place on the grid (Abu Dhabi, 2021). “I also just want to consistently finish in the top five,” says the 24-year-old Japanese. “If Visa Cash App RB achieves that – we are indeed growing a lot – then I will remain loyal to my team and I don’t need to leave.”
However, Tsunoda does not rule out that he would consider his options if another opportunity arises. “But still, if another team offers itself and the whole picture fits, then I see no reason why I wouldn’t leave,” he says. Aston Martin had previously shown interest in the Japanese talent, before the British team partnered again with Lance Stroll.
