Formula One F1 – Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar – November 29, 2024 RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson before practice REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

LONDON–Yuki Tsunoda will represent experience and continuity at Racing Bulls next year but, passed over for promotion, the Japanese looks to be running out of road at the Red Bull-owned Formula One team.

A flurry of Red Bull announcements culminated on Friday with 20-year-old Isack Hadjar confirmed as Tsunoda’s teammate.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Frenchman takes the seat vacated by New Zealander Liam Lawson, who joins four times champion Max Verstappen at the main team after Mexican Sergio Perez was dropped.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS NBA: 'Embarrassing' night for Stephen Curry, Warriors vs Grizzlies SPORTS Trinity Rodman says relationship with father Dennis Rodman is strained SPORTS NBA: Another record for LeBron James in Lakers win over Kings

EAD: F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda ‘nearly sent home’ at US border

Tsunoda, 24, will be starting his fifth year with the team previously known as AlphaTauri and RB and has close ties to Red Bull’s engine partners Honda.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Japanese manufacturer is leaving Red Bull at the end of 2025, however, to work with Aston Martin.

Article continues after this advertisement

Nov 20, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Visa Cash App RB driver Yuki Tsunoda (22) poses for photos at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“We’re acutely aware that if we’re not able to provide an opportunity for Yuki (at Red Bull) in all honesty this year, does it (keeping him on) make sense?,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told reporters.

Article continues after this advertisement

“You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years. You can’t always be the bridesmaid. You’ve either got to let them go at that point or look at something different.”

READ: F1: ‘Problem child’ Yuki Tsunoda stays patient

Article continues after this advertisement

Horner said he had spoken with Tsunoda, a fan favorite currently enjoying time off in Japan, and the driver was determined to show what he could do.

“I think he’s very determined. He knows that things change very quickly,” said the Briton. “Who would have thought nine months ago that we’d be sitting here talking about Liam Lawson being our driver for 2025?

“Nearly 3 billion people and more than half of the world’s food production are now in areas where total water storage is projected to decline,” said the report by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW).

jungle spins

“Things change quickly in this industry and he’s aware of that and he knows that he needs to be the one demonstrating that he’s the one knocking on the door.”

Italy-based Racing Bulls, who have had several name changes after Red Bull bought Minardi in 2005 and renamed them Toro Rosso, have always been a feeder for the title-winning main Milton Keynes team.

Drivers to have come through their ranks include four time world champions Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen as well as race winners Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz.

Hadjar is one of a group of young prospects coming into the sport and Red Bull also has Arvid Lindblad as an exciting talent on the horizon.

Horner rates the 17-year-old, who has both British and Swedish nationality, particularly highly after a strong rookie season in Formula Three including a Silverstone double win.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Currently without a super-licenceroyal888, Lindblad will be seeking the necessary points in New Zealand early next year before a full F2 season that could set him up for promotion in 2026 at Tsunoda’s expense.

READ NEXT PBA: Arvin Tolentino plays motivated vs ‘dayo’ squad Eastern PBA: Arvin Tolentino drops 36 as NorthPort beats Hong Kong EDITORS' PICK Yearend 2024: Carlos Yulo and a golden year for Philippine sports Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo gears up for two parades this weekend Manny Pacquiao, 1-Pacman ‘ready to rumble’ in 2025 elections Contractual, job-order gov’t workers to receive gratuity pay – Marcos Trinity Rodman says relationship with father Dennis Rodman is strained PNP: P2.4B drugs seized, 809 arrested in 2024 operations MOST READ AFP 89th anniversary: Marcos tells military to stay true to sworn duty PBA: Arvin Tolentino drops 36 as NorthPort beats Hong Kong PBA: Arvin Tolentino plays motivated vs ‘dayo’ squad Eastern F1: Yuki Tsunoda looks the big loser of Red Bull's reshuffle Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments