Karun Chandhok says Red Bull don’t want 23-year-old for 2025 F1 season

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Yuki Tsunoda isn’t in contention to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull for 2025, Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok says.

Perez is out of contract in 2024 and finished a record-breaking 290 points behind teammate and world champion Max Verstappen last season.

But Chandhok doesn’t believe that Visa Cash App RB racer Tsunoda will be in the running if Red Bull decide to make a change.

Numerous drivers have made the step-up from the sister team to the senior outfit over the years.

Verstappen himself started out at what was then Toro Rosso, while Tsunoda’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo raced there before his stint with Christian Horner’s team between 2014 and 2018.

Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have also made the step-up before being axed.

Tsunoda is hoping to be the next in line as he begins his third season with RB.

He finished 14th in the championship last year after scoring 17 of his team’s 25 points.

Karun Chandhok says Yuki Tsunoda not in Red Bull contention

Speaking during Sky F1’s coverage of second practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Chandhok said Ricciardo is the only RB driver in with a chance of a Red Bull call-up.

He says the Australian will need to consistently outperform Tsunoda if he’s to seal a return to the Milton Keynes outfit.

But he doesn’t think the 23-year-old himself is in the frame for a shot with the reigning world champions.

“For Red Bull to make the big call and swap Perez for Ricciardo, they’re going to want to see Ricciardo beating Tsunoda all the time,” he said (18:07).

“We don’t think Tsunoda is a candidate for the top team.”

Tsunoda starts season with Ricciardo clash

If he is to force his way into Red Bull’s thinking, then Tsunoda needs to prove he has not only the speed but also the temperament to drive for a frontrunner.

Chandhok’s colleague Anthony Davidson likened him to ‘a little terrier’ when he gets behind the wheel.

Tsunoda criticised his team in a series of angry radio messages when they ordered him to let Ricciardo past in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend.

The two drivers would then come close to colliding on the cooldown lap following the chequered flag.

Tsunoda and RB will look to put the controversy behind them as they go in search of their first points of the season in Jeddah.