Despite Yuki Tsunoda’s impressive performances with Red Bull, it appears unlikely that he will replace Sergio Perez for the 2025 Formula 1 season. 

BBC F1 journalist Andrew Benson reports that Red Bull is considering options outside of their current driver pool in case they decide to replace Perez or if Max Verstappen leaves the team.

With 12 out of the 20 drivers on the 2024 F1 grid out of contract, Perez’s seat is highly coveted due to Red Bull’s dominance under the ground effect regulations. While Perez has performed adequately in the opening races of the season, he still needs to improve to secure his drive for the following year.

Daniel Ricciardo had hoped for a return to Red Bull, but his performances alongside Tsunoda have been lacking. Tsunoda, on the other hand, has been a standout performer in 2024, although it seems he has yet to impress Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor.

According to Benson, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz are considered top candidates for any potential vacant seats at Red Bull for the 2025 season. Ricciardo and Tsunoda are currently not favored for a Red Bull seat next year, with reserve driver Liam Lawson possibly being considered as a replacement for Ricciardo.

At the moment, neither Ricciardo nor Tsunoda are likely to get a Red Bull seat in 2025 if either Verstappen or Perez leave,” he wrote.

“Ricciardo has been out-performed by Tsunoda since he returned to F1 midway through last season – it looks at the moment as if the Australian has yet to recover the form he previously showed at Red Bull and Renault before his dip after joining McLaren.

“And Ricciardo is at risk of being dropped before too long this season and being replaced at RB by reserve driver Liam Lawson, who impressed when he stood in for Ricciardo last season.

“And Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko does not rate Tsunoda, who was forced on him by engine partner Honda. Some inside RB say that is unfair, and that Tsunoda has been performing at an elite level so far this season. But Marko remains to be convinced.

“That being the case, the contenders for any vacant Red Bull seat are the same ones as those for any other vacant seat at a top team – with Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz at the top of the list of potentials.”

Despite internal debates about Tsunoda’s performance level, Marko remains unconvinced, leading to speculation about potential replacements for any departing drivers.