Red Bull hand Yuki Tsunoda new contract as Daniel Ricciardo made to wait

08 June 2024 , 19:30

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Yuki Tsunoda has signed a new contract with RB (Image: Getty Images)

Yuki Tsunoda has signed a new contract keeping him with Red Bull sister team RB for the 2025 season.

Tsunoda has performed impressively so far this year and has scored points at five of the eight Grands Prix held so far in 2024. And he has been rewarded for that fine form with an early decision over his future and a new contract to stay in the Red Bull family for another year.

But there is no new yet of what the future holds for team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. The Aussie's form has not been nearly as impressive and reserve driver Liam Lawson is chomping at the bit for a chance in Formula 1.

Tsunoda, however, has his 2025 place secure and, despite voicing some frustration over not being considered for a promotion to the top Red Bull team in recent days, insists he is "very happy to be staying" with his current outfit.

He said: "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.

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"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!"

Daniel Ricciardo's future remains up in the air (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Tsunoda has already scored more points this year than he managed in the whole of the previous campaign. And team principal Laurent Mekies is delighted with the progress his driver has made.

The Frenchman 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."

Daniel Moxon