Guenther Steiner has questioned Red Bull’s Tsunoda call (Image: Getty)
has questioned ’s decision not to promote from the team. The former Haas team principal does not understand the logic behind retaining him in the sister team for a fifth season after overlooking him numerous times.
The 2024 campaign was a strong one for Tsunoda. The Japanese racer continued his streak of dominating team-mates, holding the upper hand over eight-time Grand Prix winner before beating new rival Liam Lawson 6-0 in qualifying to end the campaign. He had previously ended Nyck de Vries’ short-lived F1 career in 2023.
However, when decided to part ways with after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, the 24-year-old was overlooked for a promotion.
Despite getting the upper hand on each of his last three Racing Bulls team-mates, Lawson, with only 11 Grand Prix starts under his belt, was called up to join forces with .
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Tsunoda now faces a fifth season with the sister team and must be questioning his long-term future in the system. , and have all forged stable F1 careers after leaving the set-up, and the Kanagawa-born racer may be forced to follow their paths.
“I don’t think that was the perfect choice,” ex-Haas chief Steiner told when asked about ’s decision.
“Everything was a compromise. It’s one of the choices. I’m in the opinion maybe to know that [Tsunoda] should have been given the chance.
“I don’t say deserved because you don’t deserve anything, I always say. But would [it not] have been a better bet, say we put him in the car one year, and see how he’s doing.
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Yuki Tsunoda was overlooked by Red Bull (Image: Getty)
“If he’s not good, let him go. Now he’s sitting another year in the Racing Bull, and it’s not motivational for the guy as well.”
Steiner went on to add: “He’s doing more of the same, but he’s not exposed to do, to make the step. It’s like he’s not given the opportunity, so why keep him around? I don’t know. His fifth year in the junior team, right? Is it a junior team, or what is it?”
Tsunoda could find himself under pressure from other junior drivers in the near future.
In Isack Hadjar, the Japanese racer has a highly-rated new team-mate, and British junior star Arvid Lindblad is extremely well regarded by Horner and Helmut Marko ahead of his rookie Formula Two campaign.
While his chances of securing a promotion appear thin, Tsunoda’s links to Honda may help salvage his future in the paddock.
The Japanese engine manufacturer is partnering with Aston Martin for the 2026 season and beyond, and CEO Koji Watanabe is keen to bring the 24-year-old to the Silverstone-based squad.