Another seat in Formula 1 is officially taken for next year, with Yuki Tsunoda’s freshly announced contract extension. The Japanese driver has been with the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 team since his debut in the sport, this season being his fourth. As the statement claims, he is consistently “showing enormous progress to become the driver he is today”, so far driving brilliantly this season and securing nineteen points for the team, currently tenth in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
“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 commented.
“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!”
Now that the Japanese driver knows his position within the team and is secure for 2025, all he has to do is focus on this season and try to maximize his own potential, as well as the one of the car. It is also worth mentioning that Tsunoda was never before given a contract renewal so early on, which is certainly encouraging to see as it suggests the team is committing to Tsunoda who expressed his loyalty to the Red Bull family earlier this week.
The team principal, Laurent Mekies, said: “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!” the boss assured.
And Peter Bayer, CEO of VCARB concluded the press release: “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.”
“As the saying goes, ‘never change a winning team’, so we are delighted to confirm Yuki as part of our future. 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. We are excited that he is staying with us.”
With Qualifying and the Sunday race of the Canadian Grand Prix ahead of us, Tsunoda can go into the sessions encouraged and knowing he doesn’t have to fight his way through the drivers’ market anymore.
