Yuki Tsunoda is adamant that he is aiming for a promotion to the senior Red Bull Formula 1 team despite speculation linking him with a potential move elsewhere.
Tsunoda is now in his fourth F1 season with Red Bull’s second-string squad, which has been rebranded to RB amid a stronger technical alliance with the parent group.
The Japanese driver has commenced the latest season on a strong note despite failing to score in the first two rounds, outpacing Daniel Ricciardo on both occasions.
While Max Verstappen is tied down at Red Bull through 2028, Sergio Perez is under pressure to earn an extension to his contract amid a disastrous campaign last term.
Tsunoda’s relationship with Honda has seen him touted as an option for Aston Martin since the news that it will be supplied engines by the Japanese marque from 2026.
However, Tsunoda has clarified that his main focus is on delivering on track to be in the position where he could be considered for a passage to Red Bull’s senior team.
“As a driver, if I get more interest from other teams that would be great, which means you improve, how much you go well and how much you go valued from other teams,” he said.
“So that’s what I’m aiming for obviously. And obviously, first priority would be Red Bull. But that’s what I was actually aiming for because it’s better to pick.
“When you have adaptation, it’s good for the negotiation with extra, extra, so by me, overall be better as well.
“So to be that, I mean, you need to show on the track that’s how much you really are [worth]. So I’m focusing on what I can do there.”
Asked whether Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko had set him targets for 2024, Tsunoda replied: “No, not so far. We know anyway everything is more performance-related.
“If the result is good, then automatically it comes something, hopefully like that.
“I know Red Bull and for us as well we have to focus on ourselves first because especially for us it’s just completely different.
“We had a lot of busy off-season time so we still have to get used to it and have to rebuild the process to get started properly.”
“So yeah, I see our goals but I’m just focused now to perform as is.”
Since being axed from McLaren at the end of 2022, Ricciardo has repeated that his ambition is to return to the Red Bull seat he vacated at the conclusion of 2018.
Tsunoda can understand the Australian being suggested as the main threat to Perez’s place, citing how he can learn from his team-mate to boost his own prospects.
“I mean, I think also he had a thing I don’t have for example, that’s the set control, he’s really good at it,” Tsunoda said about Ricciardo.
“And I think also one of the things that teams value as well, rather than just keep shouting and giving feedback, he’s much better. It’s just kind of all the same and set control is really important. And he’s really good at it, so I’m just learning from that.
“Especially in Italy, we know all the teams know that he’s fast. He’s won multiple Grands Prix and is definitely much more comfortable with our car compared to other cars.
“I think he’s back to great shape and that’s why I also like to challenge it, to have it from a fast driver.
“Let’s see how it goes because at the same time, we are sharing opinions, how to improve the car but I’m sure we will be okay. Formula 1 is our life.
“We have the team, the main competitors are our team-mates. I know from experience quite well enough I know from the experience last year, three drivers so I think that’s okay.”
