Yuki Tsunoda does not have the "consistency" required to step into Sergio Perez's seat at Red Bull Racing in 2025, according to Dr Helmut Marko.
Marko, Red Bull's influential advisor, has repeatedly hinted that Perez's future alongside Max Verstappen will be decided after the Abu Dhabi GP. However, Tsunoda's name does not seem to be high on the list of potential replacements.
"There will be a meeting on the Monday after Abu Dhabi and that's when the decisions will be made," Marko told Kleine Zeitung newspaper.
Instead, Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson and Williams rookie Franco Colapinto have emerged as stronger candidates for the seat. Some observers believe Tsunoda's close ties to Red Bull's current engine partner Honda, which is set to join Aston Martin in 2026, may hinder his chances.
When asked why he isn't a stronger contender for the Red Bull seat, Tsunoda replied: "Maybe you can interview them and find out. They sometimes say 'Yuki is in the mix,' but I don't know if that's true or not."
Pierre Gasly, Tsunoda's former teammate, believes the Japanese driver "deserves" a chance at Red Bull but acknowledges that performance alone does not determine such decisions.
"Ultimately, we know there is not only performance that goes into that decision," Gasly said.
Jos Verstappen, father of Max, recently commented that a more competitive teammate would benefit his son. However, Jos appeared to hint that Liam Lawson, rather than Tsunoda, might be a better option.
"That is up to the management of the team," Jos said about Perez's future. "But if Red Bull builds a neutral car, Checo will drive at the front again."
Marko's own evaluation of Tsunoda reflects a lack of confidence in his ability to deliver consistently.
"He has now delivered two very good races in Brazil and Las Vegas," Marko said. "Unfortunately, he made two stupid mistakes in Brazil before that.
"Yuki has the speed, but he lacks consistency and stability. But when it works for him, it works very well."
