Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
VCARB announces that Yuki Tsunoda has signed a new deal with the team
Visa Cash App RB F1 Team has made it official.
Yuki Tsunoda will be with the team through the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Just moments ahead of qualifying at the Canadian Grand Prix the team announced that the driver had put pen to paper on a new deal, which will keep him in his current seat through the 2025 F1 campaign.
“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 Team Principal Laurent 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!”
Peter Bayer, the CEO of the team, hailed the driver as a “valuable asset” to the organization.
“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,” said Bayer. “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.”
As for Tsunoda, the driver thanked the entire Red Bull family, and outlined how it was a great feeling to have his future settled so early in the current campaign.
“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. 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,” said Tsunoda. “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!”
The team currently sits sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, and Tsunoda is a massive reason why. VCARB has 24 points on the year, and Tsunoda has brought home the overwhelming majority of those, with 19 points on the campaign.
Teammate Daniel Ricciardo — who is expected to hold onto the other seat at VCARB for 2025, fending off a challenge from reserve driver Liam Lawson — has the other five points.
