Yuki Tsunoda is not yet at the level for Red Bull, according to Horner

Yuki Tsunoda finished in the points for the second consecutive time in Baku. After finishing tenth in Melbourne, he scored another point in Azerbaijan this weekend. However, such, if not better, results are now expected over the course of a season.

Indeed, the Japanese driver has started his third season behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car this year. This consistency should slowly indicate whether he has the potential to join Red Bull in the coming years. However, for now, Christian Horner believes he is not quite there yet. He adds, “I don’t think he is at that level yet.” The British team principal does acknowledge, however, that he is making great progress. He states, “But he is making great progress. We can see that he is maturing as a driver. He definitely has the speed and is gaining experience.”

Franz Tost satisfied with his start to the season

Especially since Yuki Tsunoda must now hold the position of number one driver at AlphaTauri, after having remained in the shadow of Pierre Gasly during their two years of collaboration. Even with this challenging start to the season, where AlphaTauri is only second to last in the constructors’ standings with two points, Tsunoda manages to control his car to achieve consistent races and score points. The two points earned by AlphaTauri can be credited to the Japanese driver.

Franz Tost, his boss, acknowledges progress in his 22-year-old driver. It was a very, very good performance, a good race on his part. He was also strong at the beginning of the season, but unfortunately the car wasn’t good enough. That’s why I am very satisfied with his performance.

Tsunoda himself also declares that he is very satisfied with his form at the moment. In Baku, he achieved the best possible result with his tenth place, as only the drivers from the top four teams and Lando Norris finished ahead of him. It was a more difficult race than expected, according to the Japanese driver, explaining that they reduced the downforce in order to focus more on the final straight, and they succeeded in doing so. But then, they had problems with the corners in the middle sector.

A seat at Red Bull in 2024 is impossible

After his arrival in 2019, within the Red Bull Junior Team, the program that allowed many of its members to be able to race for Red Bull, Tsunoda now hopes to one day follow in the footsteps of his predecessors (Vettel, Ricciardo, Sainz, Verstappen).

But Christian Horner quickly reminded us of the reality of the situation. In any case, there won’t be a cockpit available at Red Bull in 2024. Sergio Pérez’s contract runs until the end of next year, and Max Verstappen’s contract runs until 2028. We also have plenty of options for the team, highlighted Horner. The best thing he can do is perform at a very high level in AlphaTauri.

Now it remains to see Red Bull’s decision regarding Sergio Pérez at the end of the 2024 season. Perhaps by then, Tsunoda’s performances will have finished convincing Horner.