F1 News: Helmut Marko Provides Yuki Tsunoda Contract Update After Sudden Nyck de Vries Firing - "Depends On Further Results"

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has given an update on Yuki Tsunoda's AlphaTauri contract which is due to expire at the end of the 2023 season.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has spoken out on Yuki Tsunoda's contract with AlphaTauri which is due to expire at the end of the season, explaining that it "depends on further results".

Questions have risen over the future of the Japanese driver with the team after Nyck de Vries' sudden firing last week. Although it looks a bit more promising for Tsunoda, Marko is still remaining adamant that the contract extension relies on his performance throughout the rest of the season. 

Speaking to Kleine Zeitung ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Marko explained that the contract extension is likely to happen if Tsunoda's performance continues alongside new teammate Daniel Ricciardo. However, nothing has been confirmed yet. Marko commented:

"Of course it depends on further results. But there are already talks with our partner Honda. You can assume it will happen [a contract extension], if you take this year's performance as a basis."

Nyck de Vries was abruptly fired last week after just ten races of his F1 rookie season and was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo with immediate effect. Tsunoda has spoken about the new driver partnership and confirms that the pressure is on to prove he can outperform the eight-time grand prix winner and cement his place on the team for next year. 

Both drivers will also be trying to prove themselves for a spot on the Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen when Sergio Perez's contract comes to an end next year. The Mexican driver is currently struggling to keep up with the two-time champion with there now being 99 points between them in the drivers' standings, leading many to believe his seat with the Austrian team is at risk.