Tsunoda unveils Red Bull’s expectations: « Stay as close as possible to Max »
Yuki Tsunoda has revealed the precise expectations Christian Horner has set for him following his promotion to Red Bull Racing. The Japanese driver will make his debut with the main team this weekend at home, at the Japanese Grand Prix.
In a preview excerpt from an interview set to air Thursday on BBC F1, Yuki Tsunoda revealed the content of his first conversation with Christian Horner following his promotion to Red Bull Racing: “The first call I received was from Christian [Horner]. He laid out the expectations and the team dynamic. He welcomed me to the team. He was happy.” The team principal of the Austrian outfit didn’t beat around the bush during that call, setting a crystal-clear goal: “Stay as close as possible to Max’s performance,” a directive that carries several layers of meaning.
Red Bull’s impossible balance
It’s no secret that for years, Red Bull has operated with a very specific dynamic when it comes to their number two drivers. On the one hand, the team needs them to consistently score points for the Constructors’ Championship. On the other, they must not interfere with Verstappen’s title campaign — and Yuki Tsunoda will have to navigate this delicate balance.
The Japanese driver has already understood and accepted the rules of this game, and he’s not hiding it. He admitted that despite his rocky start, the team is doing everything it can to help its four-time champion secure a fifth crown: “Red Bull Racing is focusing its efforts on Max to win the Drivers’ title. He has shown good potential to become world champion, even if the team seems to be struggling a bit at the moment. I’m sure they’ll develop the car,” making the team’s priorities clear — Verstappen comes first.
However, Horner apparently offered him some room to breathe: “He also assured me that in certain situations, if I’m ahead of Max, he won’t necessarily ask me to give up my position. I think that’s fair. I’m convinced it will be hard to beat Max right away anyway. I also just need to get used to the car, but I’m excited,” he revealed. It remains to be seen how far Red Bull will actually keep that promise.
Yuki Tsunoda faces his destiny
As he steps into a decisive phase of his racing career, Tsunoda fully understands what this promotion means and what’s at stake: “This week is going to be intense, a mix of pressure from the challenge and excitement. It’s a major step for my career and for what I want to achieve,” he said on Red Bull’s website.
The intense preparation began last week, as he worked with his new team in the UK to get ready and plans to keep that momentum going into Suzuka. But the true test will come during the first practice sessions, where he’ll need to adjust his driving style to the RB21. This car is radically different from the ones he’s known at AlphaTauri or Racing Bulls, and so far, he’s only driven it in a virtual setting: “My first challenge is to adapt to this car. I’ve driven it on the simulator, but my first time will be during practice, so I need to get up to speed quickly,” he said. He plans to learn from Max and maximize the team’s performance over the weekend.
Tsunoda’s arrival in the main team coincides with the planned departure of Honda — his key supporter — to Aston Martin in 2026. The Japanese driver is effectively playing for his future in Formula 1 over the coming races. Without the engine manufacturer backing him, and with Red Bull’s junior talent pool growing rapidly, he now not only needs to impress enough to catch the eye of other teams but also of Red Bull itself to secure a seat beyond 2025.
