Yuki Tsunoda has admitted that he doesn’t just want to show Red Bull what he’s really capable of, with the Japanese driver also wanting to impress over teams.
Tsunoda is nearing the end of his third season in Formula 1 and with AlphaTauri, who are widely expected to offer the 23-year-old a new contract for 2024.
Should AlphaTauri not offer Tsunoda a new deal, then he’ll be forced to either find a new team or leave the championship, given that his current contract expires this year.
He’s improved massively in 2023, having been criticised previously for being hot-headed and prone to driver errors.
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Tsunoda has seemingly matured into a fast and consistent driver this season, who’s often excelled in a below par package.
There is no doubting that AlphaTauri’s AT04 is the worst car on the grid, something which is proven by the fact that the side are last in the Constructors’ Championship.
Tsunoda is responsible for all of their points this campaign and has already been partnered by three drivers this year.
Nyck de Vries started the season next to Tsunoda at the Faenza-based team but was sacked after the British Grand Prix due to being consistently out-classed by the Japanese driver.
Daniel Ricciardo was brought in as his replacement, with Tsunoda having performed well against him too.
Following the Australian’s fractured hand though, Liam Lawson has been introduced and has so far shown great potential.
Ricciardo and Lawson are both candidates for Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull once the Mexican deal expires at the end of 2024, but Tsunoda also wants to be included in the race for the seat.
He would like the chance to “stay at Red Bull” and show his potential, but he’s currently focused on just performing at his best.
“It would be nice if I could be able to stay at Red Bull,” Tsunoda told RacingNews365.com.
“But to be honest, these things I don’t know. They will decide it and I just have focus on what I have to do and make the result and naturally those two things will come.”
Should a move to Red Bull never materialise, then Tsunoda could be forced to look elsewhere.
Given his ties with Honda, a switch to Aston Martin could be viable in 2026, with the Japanese manufacturer to leave Red Bull for the British side when the new power unit regulations are introduced.
Knowing that his future might not be with the energy drink company, Tsunoda wants to show his talent to both Red Bull and other parties, to be as prepared as possible for the next few years.
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“I don’t try to think about those things, maybe I can step up to Red Bull,” Tsunoda said.
“Those are things that you never know. So it’s useless to think about those things, I’m just focused on what I’m doing and keep delivering my results.
“I want to focus more on showing my value as a driver, not just for this Red Bull but also for the other teams, which is the most important thing. That is my target.”