Lawson edged out the Japanese driver today, who snuck into the points for the first time in four races.
Liam Lawson at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, a despondent-sounding Tsunoda revealed he knew something about his future that he couldn’t disclose.
“I know something that I can’t share with you guys,” he said. “But probably most people know it.
“I’m [of] a similar understanding as you guys. I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“Let’s see.”
Tsunoda has been linked with the American IndyCar series.
While the 25-year-old has been part of Red Bull’s junior development programme, and on the Formula One grid since 2021 with AlphaTauri, Racing Bulls and the senior team, Tsunoda’s position has always been linked to engine supplier Honda, one of his primary backers.
The Herald understands that Honda pays an annual sum of about US$10 million ($17.4m) to Red Bull to guarantee Tsunoda a place at one of its two teams.
Earlier this year, when Lawson was demoted from Red Bull to Racing Bulls after two races, Tsunoda took his place in the top team and that payment was understood to have been doubled.
However, Honda is departing Red Bull for Aston Martin at the end of this season, leaving Tsunoda’s future in doubt. At present, Red Bull have only Max Verstappen confirmed in a seat for next year.
Earlier this year, Red Bull senior adviser Helmut Marko gave a deadline of the Mexican Grand Prix to decide on the two teams’ driver line-ups. After Mexico, that decision was pushed back until after Qatar.
The season ends in Abu Dhabi on Monday morning, with McLaren drivers Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Verstappen all in the running for the title.