Red Bull is finally considering Yuki Tsunoda to replace Sergio Perez
Christian Horner does not rule out the possibility that Yuki Tsunoda will one day be promoted to the Red Bull main team. The team principal acknowledges that the Japanese driver is delivering good performances.
Yuki Tsunoda is having a very good season at Racing Bulls, even surpassing his more experienced teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, on several occasions. Despite his performances, Tsunoda has never been mentioned as a replacement for Sergio Pérez, unlike Ricciardo, whose name is regularly mentioned.
Although Tsunoda is not in danger of losing his seat at Racing Bulls, there did not seem to be any established possible transfer to the main team like Ricciardo or Lawson. Now, Christian Horner seems interested in the Japanese driver for a place in the main team.
Critical performances for Perez
Sergio Pérez is having a difficult season so far. With only 118 points, he is currently sixth in the drivers’ championship. With unsatisfactory results this season, Horner seemed displeased with the new contract with the Mexican. “We thought the contract would help,” he had declared to the press. Since then, Red Bull’s reserve driver, Liam Lawson, seems to be an option to replace him.
During the British Grand Prix this Sunday, Checo failed to qualify beyond Q1 and finished the race in 17th position. Christian Horner has acknowledged that Pérez’s performances are unsustainable and specifies that this kind of results are no longer acceptable. With a contract linking him to the team until 2026, Pérez is under pressure to improve his results before the team considers contract termination. “Checo knows he has to score points in this car,” declared Christian Horner. “He knows his role and his target.”
A trust that reigns at first sight, but above all imposes itself as a warning for the older pilot. The Red Bull team needs points from Sergio Pérez if they hope to win the constructor championship. Ferrari is only 71 points behind the first place and McLaren 78 points behind, a gap that seems significant but can be easily caught up if Pérez doesn’t add any points to the tally.
Yuki Tsunoda, another viable option
« We can never exclude anything,” Horner replied to the media when asked if Tsunoda could one day join the main team. A surprising comment considering an option that seemed until now impossible for the team. « We have options for several years on him because we believe in his talent,” he continued.
Despite the driver’s performances, Tsunoda has never had the opportunity to test a Red Bull, unlike Lawson, who will carry out tests for the team in Silverstone. When questioned about this, Horner honestly responded as to why Tsunoda had not had the chance to test a Red Bull car. “You never know, maybe he will have a test one day,” the team principal revealed. “Yuki is a Red Bull Racing driver. We re-signed him because he performed well. We are very aware of his performances.”
Racing Bulls, formerly Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team, has historically been a stepping stone for many drivers to the parent team. Tsunoda, although he has shown his talent, has not yet had this opportunity, but Christian Horner could consider him in the future. We can never exclude anything. We believe in his talent, Horner concludes.
Despite his impressive performances, Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull Racing remains uncertain. For now, he continues to prove that he deserves a place among the best. It remains to be seen if this will be enough to make him move up to the main team.
