Yuki Tsunoda has admitted that Red Bull’s interest in Franco Colapinto is not a “surprise” amid rumours the two could become team-mates in Formula 1 at RB in 2025.
Last week’s announcement that Sauber has signed Gabriel Bortoleto has meant the sole remaining seats to be settled on next season’s grid are at the Red Bull teams.
Sergio Perez holds a contract with Red Bull through 2026, but a wretched campaign has prompted heightened speculation that he could lose his place over the winter.
Liam Lawson, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo at RB mid-season, has been recognised as the leading contender to move up should Red Bull dispense with the Mexican.
However, Colapinto has emerged as a potential candidate as Williams cannot provide him with a permanent drive in 2025, despite his exploits over his six-round spell.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner conceded that it would be unwise not to explore the option and he was spotted exiting the Williams hospitality unit in Brazil last month.
“I mean, he’s definitely doing a good job,” Tsunoda told media including Motorsport Week. “To be honest, I don’t know much about those things. I didn’t see much.
“If it’s not an option, I’ll be surprised, right? Because he’s doing well and he don’t have a seat so far for next season.
“And if he’s fast, I’m thinking for all the teams he will be an option who don’t have selected a seat yet for next year. So yeah, I think so.”
Tsunoda prepared to partner Verstappen
Colapinto, who has taken two points finishes to date, has even been tipped as a viable choice to slot straight in at the senior Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen.
That would come as a huge blow to Tsunoda, who is striving to assert his credentials when he drives Red Bull’s 2024 car, the RB20, at the Abu Dhabi post-season test.
Asked whether he is prepared to progress up the Red Bull ladder, Tsunoda, now in his fourth season with the Faenza-based squad, responded: “Yeah. I think definitely.
“I mean, it’s always the driver [Verstappen] you want to drive with. He’s the best driver so far and he has a lot of skills and definitely would like to learn a lot of things.
“But also, I would just finish as a learning and yeah, see how it goes.
“I just focus now on what I have to do. And so far, I’m just not really able to achieve what I want to do. So, yeah. We’ll see how it goes.”
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