Despite losing the battle for a full-time Red Bull seat to Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda might still find himself racing for the main team at some point in 2025, as he has been handed the role of official reserve driver.

This appointment ensures that Tsunoda remains closely tied to Red Bull Racing, ready to step in if either Max Verstappen or Lawson is unavailable due to injury, sickness or a race ban.

The Japanese driver, now entering his fifth season with VCARB (formerly AlphaTauri), has steadily improved since his F1 debut in 2021. His performances in 2024 were particularly noteworthy, as he contributed 30 of the team’s 46 points, outpacing his teammates and solidifying his position as a key figure within the Red Bull driver programme.

While a full-time promotion to the senior team remains out of reach for now, his reserve role demonstrates Red Bull’s continued confidence in his abilities.

Tsunoda's chances of racing for Red Bull could increase given Verstappen’s precarious situation. The reigning world champion begins the 2025 season with eight penalty points, just four shy of triggering a one-race suspension.

With the next penalty-point reset not occurring until after June’s Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen will need to navigate 11 rounds under considerable pressure. Should an incident arise, Tsunoda will be the first in line to step into one of the most competitive seats on the grid.

Additionally, if Tsunoda or his new VCARB teammate, Isack Hadjar, are unable to race, Red Bull's sister team will turn to Ayumu Iwasa as their next reserve. He has secured the necessary super licence points through strong performances in FIA Formula 2 and Super Formula and gained valuable experience driving for Racing Bulls during FP1 sessions in Japan and Abu Dhabi in 2024.