BREAKING: Red Bull Team Boss Christian Horner Explains Why Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull Contract Is One of the Worst in Formula 1.
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples across the Formula 1 paddock, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has publicly criticized the terms of Yuki Tsunoda’s contract, calling it “one of the worst in modern F1 history” — a bold and rare admission from one of the sport’s most influential figures.
The 24-year-old Japanese driver, currently competing under the Red Bull umbrella with its sister team, RB (formerly AlphaTauri), has long been touted as a rising star with immense potential. However, despite consistent performances and improved maturity on the track, Tsunoda has remained in contractual limbo—locked into what Horner now describes as a “career-limiting deal.”
> “Yuki’s contract was structured under outdated performance clauses and minimal flexibility,” Horner stated during an exclusive interview on Sky Sports F1. “It hasn’t reflected his growth or his value to the team. In hindsight, it’s one of the poorest deals negotiated for a driver of his talent.”
Sources within the Red Bull camp suggest that Tsunoda’s original agreement, brokered in 2021 and extended quietly over the years, included harsh performance-based renewal terms, limited promotional bonuses, and a lack of mobility within the broader Red Bull Racing hierarchy—effectively capping his chances of ever graduating to the main team alongside Max Verstappen.
This admission is especially significant given the ongoing rumors surrounding Red Bull’s 2026 driver lineup. With Oscar Piastri now confirmed to join Red Bull in place of Sergio Pérez, many expected Tsunoda to finally earn a promotion. But Horner’s comments paint a different picture—one in which Tsunoda’s contractual baggage has effectively held him back.
> “When we were evaluating drivers, we couldn’t overlook how restrictive Yuki’s deal had become. It left very little room to elevate him, regardless of his performance,” Horner continued. “It’s something we as an organization need to learn from.”
Fans and analysts alike have reacted strongly to the bombshell, with many questioning Red Bull’s management of its junior talents. Former F1 driver and Sky pundit Jenson Button weighed in, saying, “Tsunoda has proven he deserves a bigger stage. If the contract is really that bad, then someone needs to be held accountable.”
As for Tsunoda, the driver has yet to respond publicly, but sources close to his camp hint at growing frustration. With his future uncertain and Red Bull’s top seat spoken for, it remains to be seen whether Tsunoda will seek legal action to renegotiate or possibly depart the Red Bull system altogether.
One thing is clear: Christian Horner’s blunt assessment has opened a new chapter in the often-secretive world of F1 contracts—exposing just how much a piece of paper can shape, or stall, a promising career.
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