Yuki Tsunoda has received mixed signals from Red Bull as team advisor Dr Helmut Marko described him as "just one of many talents" within the program.
The Japanese driver, appearing at a Honda event in Tokyo, rated his chances of being promoted to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing next year at "50-50."
"Of course I would be happier if I could drive for Red Bull," Tsunoda said. "But I'm incredibly grateful for all the support I'm getting in this situation."
Tsunoda, 24, recently tested the 2024 title-winning Red Bull car in Abu Dhabi, an opportunity facilitated by Honda. Red Bull advisor Marko acknowledged Tsunoda's technical contribution but downplayed his status within the broader Red Bull driver pool.
"During the post-season tests, Yuki Tsunoda was allowed to take to the track in the RB20 and the team was happy with his technical feedback," Marko wrote in his Speed Week column.
"In this respect, he is far better than people give him credit for. But he is just one of many talents that we have in our ranks. We are also very well positioned in the junior classes."
If Red Bull opts to move Sergio Perez out of the senior team, both Tsunoda and reserve driver Liam Lawson are contenders for the seat. Meanwhile, Red Bull-backed Formula 2 frontrunner Isack Hadjar is tipped to step up to Red Bull's second team—set to be rebranded as Racing Bulls in 2025.
"It is gratifying that after a long period in which there have been hardly any changes, several promising rookies can now show what they are capable of," Marko continued.
"Next year we will have Gabriel Bortoleto in the field, who won Formula 2, and Oliver Bearman and Kimi Antonelli are also moving up. And if we were to field a junior at Racing Bulls, that would be four newcomers in the field, so you could speak of a generational change."
As for Tsunoda's own future, the Japanese driver remains uncertain.
"I don't know what will happen," he admitted. "But regardless of which team I'm with, what I have to do is still the same. It's not just about Red Bull, because for all we know, RB could outperform them in development.
"It's not like it has to be Red Bull necessarily. I just want to perform well and score points. Getting on the podium at Suzuka would be the ultimate dream," Tsunoda added.
"But to achieve that, I want to help build a better car and a better team one day. Until that time comes, I hope everyone can be patient," he said. "I am at least very grateful for this situation where everyone is pushing for me to be promoted.
"But what I have to do is the same no matter what team I am on."
