Tsunoda still has a shot to become Verstappen's team-mate, claims RB team boss

Visa Cash RB CEO Peter Bayer claims that Yuki Tsunoda will be considered for Red Bull seat if he continues to perform and deliver better results in the remainder of the season.

Visa Cash RB's Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda has delivered an impressive performance so far in 2024. The Sagamihara-born driver, who made his F1 debut with the Faenza-based outfit at the start of the 2021 season, has scored points in seven of the 14 races that have taken place so far this year.

Tsunoda has impressed the Italian team with his performances which helped him secure a contract extension. The extended contract which was announced at the Canadian Grand Prix will see him race for the Faenza-headquartered squad until at least the end of 2025.

However, with Sergio Perez's having been under immense pressure due to his low-key performances in recent months, Visa Cash RB CEO Peter Bayer has stated that Tsunoda will be considered for a Red Bull seat if he consistently performs at a high level.

“Helmut [Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor] said it himself, in German you say a swallow doesn't make a summer. What it means is that if Yuki keeps racing on this level consistently, he will be considered for a seat in Red Bull Racing.”

“That’s ultimately exactly our mission and the mission we’ve been given by the shareholders, and if that means that he needs another season next to a very strong Daniel, that could be an option.”

“It could also be an option [to] say that, okay, we now believe he’s ready. So [then] we’ll talk to Liam [Lawson]. We’re not in a hurry, despite all the people [who] think we are, because we do have all the options in our hands.”

Speaking of the Japanese driver's performance this year, Visa Cash RB team boss Laurent Mekies described Tsunoda’s progression early in the 2024 season as “phenomenal.”

“But you don't expect that sort of phenomenal step between third and fourth, so - yes, he's faster. Yes, he's calmer. Yes, he's better integrating the team, better feedback, hopefully happy!” said Mekies.

“Yuki is a Red Bull driver. He must have the ambition to drive for Red Bull Racing. If he doesn’t have that - it’s wrong. I hope and I trust that he wants more than anything else to drive that car to win races. We also try to help him develop him in that way. So that’s what the business is.”