Yuki Tsunoda’s Shifting Management and Future Prospects
Yuki Tsunoda, the Racing Bulls driver, has made significant changes to his management team following his disappointment over not securing a promotion to Red Bull for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Previously managed by Mario Miyakawa and Luis Alvarez, Tsunoda parted ways with both managers shortly after the 2024 season concluded in December. He is now under the guidance of Diego Menchaca, a Mexican former single-seater and sportscar racer. Menchaca, who has competed in the International GT Open and finished runner-up in 2023, will shift his focus entirely to driver management in 2025, also working with F3’s Noah Stromsted. Tsunoda expressed his satisfaction with Menchaca, highlighting his motivation and proactive approach in building a relationship with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
A New Start with Diego Menchaca
Tsunoda’s decision to work with Menchaca was driven by the Mexican’s immediate efforts to establish a rapport with Red Bull. "I am not working [with] Mario anymore, and Luis as well," Tsunoda confirmed to Autosport. "I’m really happy with Diego. He’s motivated, definitely. Once we decided to work together, he immediately went to Helmut’s [Marko, Red Bull advisor] office to build a relationship. That kind of effort, I really appreciate – and obviously, Helmut did too." This new partnership marks a fresh start for Tsunoda, who is keen to see Menchaca’s efforts translate into on-track performance, which will be crucial for both their careers.
The 2025 Formula 1 Season and Racing Bulls
The 2025 F1 season will be Tsunoda’s fifth in the series, all with Red Bull’s sister team, which has raced under the AlphaTauri, RB, and now Racing Bulls banners. Despite outperforming his past three team-mates—Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson—Red Bull has never seriously considered promoting Tsunoda to its main team. The decision to promote Lawson for 2025 sparked mixed reactions in the paddock, but it was not entirely unexpected. Lawson had been tipped to replace Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s team-mate even before Perez’s departure was officially confirmed. As a result, Tsunoda will partner rookie Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls and is expected to be the team’s clear number one driver after securing a career-best 12th place in the 2024 standings.
Tsunoda’s Progress and Team Expectations
Tsunoda’s performance in 2024 was notable, and Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies praised his progress. "Yuki last year did a step I think none of us was expecting. He did a big step forward in terms of speed, in terms of maturity, in terms of technical feedback – and I think if there is another step like that in Yuki this year, it’s going to be really, really interesting!" Mekies added, "In terms of what would a good year look like for him, it’s to see another step of the same magnitude of what we’ve seen last year." Tsunoda is under pressure to continue his upward trajectory, and his performance in 2025 will be crucial for his future in the sport.
Uncertainty Beyond 2025
Tsunoda’s future beyond the 2025 season remains uncertain. Speaking to the media shortly after Lawson’s promotion, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner questioned whether it "makes sense" to keep Tsunoda in the Red Bull family if he is not in contention for a senior team seat this year. If Red Bull releases him at the end of the season, Tsunoda’s options appear limited. He was in talks with Haas last year and was also being considered by Sauber, but Red Bull opted to extend his contract for another season. Since then, both teams have locked in their driver line-ups for the next few years, leaving Tsunoda with few obvious alternatives should he find himself out of a seat for 2026.
The Road Ahead
Despite the challenges, Tsunoda remains focused on the 2025 season. His partnership with Menchaca and his status as the clear number one driver at Racing Bulls provide a solid foundation for a strong performance. If Tsunoda can replicate or surpass his 2024 form, he may still have a chance to secure a prominent role in Formula 1. However, the coming year will be pivotal, and his performance will determine whether he secures a long-term future in the sport or faces a more uncertain path. For now, Tsunoda is determined to make the most of his opportunities and prove his worth on the track.
