Tsunoda, the hope for a seat at Red Bull

After finally securing a seat in a Red Bull during the end-of-season tests in Abu Dhabi in December, and despite impressing the team of engineers, Tsunoda was sidelined to become Max Verstappen’s new teammate.

« I think I’m going to stick to what I’m doing. I understand why they chose Liam, and that’s how it is. There are things I can’t control, and I respect that. I still have hope for this season. I’m staying focused on what I have to do; I need to prove to myself that I deserve to be in Formula 1. » said Yuki Tsunoda to Motorsport’s microphone.

After starting in F3 in 2018, Yuki Tsunoda achieved three victories in Formula 2 the following year and impressed with his adaptability, thereby opening the doors to the premier discipline. The first Japanese driver to compete in F1 since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014, Tsunoda did not seem limited by his lack of experience on the international stage and, upon his arrival in F1, he immediately made an impression with a ninth-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2021.

The following season was more disappointing. After a brilliant start to the year, the Japanese driver entered the top 10 in three of the first six races, but thereafter struggled a lot to fight for points and only found them once, in Austin. In 2023, the 3 teammate changes did not help him maintain good consistency.

Red Bull reserve driver on the lookout for any opportunity

After 86 GPs and despite the Japanese driver’s four years of mid-field experience compared to Lawson’s 11 Grand Prix, the New Zealander has been chosen based on the potential he presents according to the available data, compared to that of the Japanese driver. This means that Tsunoda will spend another year with the sister team Red Bull.

For the first time in his F1 career, Tsunoda will also take on the role of reserve driver for Red Bull. This will give him the opportunity to step in if Verstappen or Lawson encounter health issues or injuries, or potentially if the latter fails to meet the demands of the top team.

According to Christian Horner, the director of the Red Bull team, Tsunoda should be inspired by Lawson’s achievements. Indeed, the 22-year-old driver was not considered as a potential team partner for Verstappen until the very end of the season.

« I’ve already put aside what happened last year, I don’t think about it anymore. When they announced it officially, I didn’t feel super angry or disappointed. At some point, I was mentally prepared, said the Japanese driver at the press conference before the 2025 livery unveiling ceremony. « Maybe if I had been with Red Bull, I would have been teammates with Max. It wouldn’t have been easy, but at the same time, it would have been cool. It’s a way to prove oneself in another way. But with Racing Bulls, there are different things I probably have never experienced in a position like this, a leadership position, and I also have to develop myself further. »

Referring to Tsunoda for the coming year, Horner stated for RacingNews365: « He stated that his motivation was to demonstrate that he deserved this opportunity. The Racing Bulls team will hopefully make a new step forward by using the rear suspension, gearbox, and other aspects they are allowed to use. As the team and new management mature, they will naturally take a step forward. He is very determined. He knows that things change very quickly. Who would have thought nine months ago that we would be talking about Liam Lawson as our driver for 2025? Things change rapidly in this industry, and he is aware of it, and knows he must be the one to demonstrate that he is the one knocking on the door. »