Yuki Tsunoda thinks key area RB driver ‘lacks quite a lot’ prevents joining ‘top’ F1 team

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Yuki Tsunoda believes improving in one area where the Visa Cash App RB driver ‘lacks quite a lot’ compared to Daniel Ricciardo is vital if he is to join a ‘top’ Formula 1 team.

The 24-year-old is now in his fourth season on the grid and is locked in for another year next term. RB moved early in June to activate an option in his contract to keep Tsunoda in Faenza through 2025. He was otherwise set to be a free agent following the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Tsunoda has so far always raced with single-year contracts across his time in the pinnacle of motorsport. But he also has backing from two of the biggest names in the paddock as a Red Bull and Honda junior driver. Yet Tsunoda is rarely in the mix to seal a promotion to Red Bull.

Yuki Tsunoda admits his fiery radio messages hurt any chances of joining a top F1 team

Even with doubts surrounding Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull prior to the summer break, it seemed like a straight shootout between Ricciardo or reserve driver Liam Lawson to replace the Mexican. Instead, Tsunoda’s future is with RB or to move away from the Red Bull family.

One option could be to join Aston Martin in the future with Honda becoming the Silverstone team’s engine partner from 2026. Honda is currently in a technical partnership with Red Bull but will split when Formula 1 introduces its new power unit regulations for the 2026 season.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1’s 2026 engine and chassis regulations

But if Tsunoda is to ever leave RB and join a leading Formula 1 team, he admits that getting on top of the Honda Formula Dream Project graduate’s emotions over the radio will be key. The Japanese gem knows the top teams will consider his attitude, so is working to improve.

Tsunoda told Motorsport.com: “When I look from an outside perspective, previously, even [when] my one lap or performance or my driving was ok, I think the radio communications [and] emotional control was lacking quite a lot – a big step when I compare to Daniel.

“If you want to go to a top team, those things will be very important because top teams are expecting a more complete driver.”

Yuki Tsunoda has not ruled out following Honda to Aston Martin

Taking control of his emotions over the radio was also one issue that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko spotted. With his anger often public in the latter half of 2023, Horner and Marko even urged Tsunoda to calm down on the radio.

Their advice plus Tsunoda’s own acceptance that his fiery outburst can be more detrimental than helpful for the RB driver’s career have produced a largely calmer presence this season. But Tsunoda remains a work in progress, with the Kanagawa native still holding a short fuse.

It is a fuse he will likely aim to extend after Tsunoda confirmed in May that Honda wishes to continue supporting him when the Japanese brand joins Aston Martin. The RB racer did not rule out partnering Fernando Alonso in Silverstone, either, if they move on from Lance Stroll.

But a move to Aston Martin cannot come any sooner than 2027 for Tsunoda. Alonso signed a new contract with the Silverstone squad in April that tied the Spaniard down through until the end of 2026. Stroll also agreed to a fresh contract in June until at least the end of 2026.