Following the dramatic ousting of Christian Horner from his long-held position at Red Bull, the team appears poised for yet another seismic shift — this time within its driver lineup. Trusted sources now suggest that Yuki Tsunoda’s contract is set to be terminated at the conclusion of the 2025 season, marking another wave of restructuring under the team’s new leadership. Horner’s unexpected dismissal last week sent shockwaves across the paddock, especially given his two-decade legacy of transforming Red Bull into a Formula 1 juggernaut. In his place, Laurent Mekies, formerly of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, has taken the reins — and isn’t wasting time shaking the tree.
Tsunoda, who was promoted from Racing Bulls just two races into the current campaign to partner reigning champion Max Verstappen, has struggled to assert himself. Despite the bold mid-season shuffle that saw him replace Liam Lawson, Tsunoda has failed to meet expectations, with results that lag significantly behind the performance benchmark set by Verstappen. His current standing — 17th in the drivers’ championship with a mere 10 points — paints a bleak picture, especially considering that Lawson, now demoted, sits just ahead of him.
The reports, originating from GPblog via the Daily Star, indicate Red Bull’s patience has worn thin. Tsunoda’s lack of consistency and his failure to close the performance gap have effectively sealed his fate. Though the Japanese driver once dazzled with raw speed and tenacity, the pressures of a top-tier seat appear to have dimmed his competitive edge. With Horner no longer acting as a buffer or advocate, Tsunoda’s place in the team has become increasingly precarious under the new regime.
Looking ahead, Red Bull is reportedly considering a shortlist of successors. Liam Lawson is once again under evaluation for a promotion, having previously impressed before his demotion. But competition is stiff. Rising talents such as Isack Hadjar and 17-year-old phenom Arvid Lindblad are also in the frame. Lindblad, who recently obtained his FIA superlicense, made a notable debut during Free Practice One at the British Grand Prix, signaling Red Bull’s growing interest in fast-tracking new blood into the highest level of motorsport.
With the Belgian Grand Prix looming at Spa-Francorchamps, the paddock is bracing for more drama. Red Bull’s driver conundrum, now amplified by a leadership vacuum, underscores the turbulence brewing within one of F1’s most dominant forces. As Tsunoda’s future hangs by a thread, the battle to inherit his seat intensifies — a stark reminder that in Formula 1, survival is often as brutal as the speed itself.
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