Tsunoda secures new contract with Visa RB

On the eve of the Canadian Grand Prix, the Visa RB team has announced that it has taken up the option on our agreement with Yuki Tsunoda that will see the Japanese driver stay with the team for 2025.

The 24-year-old has spent all four of his Formula 1 seasons to date with the Faenza-based squad, having made his debut with the Italian team in 2021 when it was called AlphaTauri.

The announcement comes just days after Red Bull confirmed that they extended Sergio Perez's contract by two years. The Japanese driver has an impressive start to the season, as he has outperformed teammate Daniel Ricciardo and scored 19 points for RB across the opening eight races.

Commenting on his freshly-signed contract, Tsunoda added: “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.

"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!”

Team boss Laurent Mekies said that he has been impressed by the progress Tsunoda has achieved in recent years.

“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," Mekies said.

Expanding on the announcement, RB CEO Peter Bayer said: “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.”