has a new manager ahead of the 2025 campaign. The Japanese racer is now under the management umbrella of Diego Menchaca after splitting from his previous duo, Mario Miyakawa and Luis Alvarez.

Tsunoda endured a frustrating year of off-track politics in 2024. He dominated experienced team-mate Daniel Ricciardo during the first two-thirds of the campaign and then dispatched Liam Lawson 6-0 in qualifying, but was still overlooked by Red Bull when Sergio Perez was dropped after the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Instead, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko opted to promote Lawson alongside Verstappen, despite Tsunoda feeling that he did enough to impress Red Bull in the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Now, heading into a make-or-break fifth season with the Racing Bulls squad, Tsunoda has mixed up his entourage, bringing in Menchaca as his new manager. The Mexican only retired from racing at the end of the 2024 campaign after two seasons in the International GT Open series.

Speaking to about his new partnership, Tsunoda said: "I am not working [with] Mario anymore, and Luis as well. I'm really happy with Diego. He's motivated, definitely. Once we decided to work together, he immediately went to Helmut's office to build a relationship.

"That kind of effort, I really appreciate - and obviously, Helmut did too. They already have a good relationship, which is a good start. But in the end, the most important thing is to perform on track, which will make Diego's life easier."

Tsunoda's chances of securing a move to Red Bull now look thin. After unsuccessful attempts to match Verstappen from Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Perez, the expectations bestowed upon new recruit Lawson have been lowered.

Furthermore, team principal Horner has called into question the logic of retaining Tsunoda beyond 2025 should a pathway to the Milton Keynes squad not materialise this year. In Isack Hadjar and 17-year-old Brit Arvid Lindblad, Red Bull also have other attractive prospects rising through the ranks.

Menchaca will, therefore, be a busy man this year. Opportunities elsewhere on the grid will be plentiful as the teams prepare for the new regulation period, and with Cadillac set to join the grid for the 2026 season, two new seats have been created.

Outside of the Red Bull family, the most obvious link for Tsunoda is with Aston Martin. The Silverstone-based outfit are starting a new partnership with Honda next year, and the Japanese manufacturer has supported the 24-year-old throughout his motorsport career.