Tsunoda set to become Red Bull’s official 2025 reserve driver
Yuki Tsunoda is reportedly set to be named Red Bull Racing’s official reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
According to Autosport, the 24-year-old, who is entering his fifth season with Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls, will assume the role of Red Bull’s fallback option despite being overlooked for a promotion to the senior team.
At the end of last season, the Milton Keynes-based outfit opted to sign New Zealander Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s new teammate for 2025, parting ways with Sergio Perez after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
However, Tsunoda’s new reserve role ensures he remains closely connected to Red Bull Racing, ready to step in should Lawson or Verstappen be unable to race.
A Safety Net for Red Bull’s 2025 Lineup
Tsunoda’s designation as Red Bull’s reserve driver positions him as a potential stand-in for either of Red Bull’s regular drivers.
While Lawson has earned his full-time seat, his performance in his rookie season will be under scrutiny. If he struggles to meet expectations, Red Bull could turn to Tsunoda as a mid-season replacement.
Additionally, Verstappen enters the 2025 season carrying eight penalty points on his FIA super licence.
With a one-race ban automatically triggered upon reaching 12 points, Red Bull faces the risk of losing their lead driver for a race if he accrues further infractions.
Verstappen has stated that he will not change his aggressive racing style despite being just four points away from suspension.
Given that his first penalty points do not expire until June 30, Tsunoda could be called up earlier in the season if the reigning world champion is sanctioned and forced to sit out a race.
Tsunoda’s Future in Limbo as Red Bull Considers Options
While Red Bull has ensured Tsunoda remains within its F1 framework, the Japanese driver’s long-term future remains uncertain.
Team principal Christian Horner previously acknowledged that Tsunoda cannot remain at Racing Bulls indefinitely, indicating that 2025 could be his final year within the Red Bull system.
"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 make sense [to keep him on]?" Horner said late last year.
"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."
Horner’s comments suggest that Red Bull views 2025 as a decisive year for Tsunoda’s career, potentially opening the door for a move to another team should a seat at Red Bull Racing not materialize.
Iwasa on Standby for Racing Bulls
Tsunoda’s dual role as a full-time Racing Bulls driver and Red Bull’s reserve means contingency plans are in place at the junior team.
Should Tsunoda be required to deputize for Red Bull, or if either he or his Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar are unavailable, Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa is the most likely driver to step up.
Iwasa, who drove the Racing Bulls VCARB-01 in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix and participated in the 2024 post-season test, holds the necessary 40 FIA super licence points to compete in Formula 1.
This makes him a viable candidate to fill in at Racing Bulls should the need arise.
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