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Yuki Tsunoda Exceeds Expectations: Red Bull Reveals Where He’s ‘Far Better’

David Castro by David Castro
December 16, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Yuki Tsunoda Exceeds Expectations: Red Bull Reveals Where He’s ‘Far Better’

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 RB's Yuki Tsunoda in action during the race REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

Red Bull’s driver dilemma for the 2025 Formula 1 season is heating up, and Yuki Tsunoda’s recent outing with the senior team during the post-race Abu Dhabi test may have given his candidacy a much-needed boost. While the team remains in limbo over Sergio Perez’s situation, Tsunoda’s performance has seemingly addressed one of the key concerns about his potential promotion: the quality of his technical feedback.

Perez’s Shadow Looms Large

Sergio Perez, under contract with Red Bull through 2026, is widely expected to leave the team early, pending a financial agreement. Rumors of a massive buyout have swirled, but Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko dismissed these claims in his Speedweek.com column, calling such reports “complete nonsense.” Yet, Marko confirmed that Red Bull’s 2025 driver line-up will be resolved in the coming days, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the final decision.

As the team inches closer to a resolution, the primary candidates to replace Perez are Yuki Tsunoda and his occasional team-mate Liam Lawson. Both drivers have shown promise, but the scales have been tipping in Lawson’s favor, owing to his impressive debut performances and Red Bull’s lingering reservations about Tsunoda.

The Case for Tsunoda

Tsunoda’s perceived weaknesses include his composure under pressure—especially alongside a dominant team-mate like Max Verstappen—and his ability to provide precise technical feedback to engineers. However, his outing with the senior team in Abu Dhabi appears to have alleviated at least one of these concerns.

Marko praised Tsunoda’s performance during the test, saying, “The team was happy with his technical feedback. In this regard, he is far better than it is said.” This aligns with comments from Red Bull’s head of performance engineering, Ben Waterhouse, who highlighted Tsunoda’s “excellent feedback” during the test.

Tsunoda himself expressed optimism about his future, stating at Honda’s end-of-year event that he felt he had impressed the team with his performance. The 2024 season also saw Tsunoda mature as a driver, showcasing consistency in the latter half of the year—a trait Red Bull values highly.

Lawson’s Momentum

Despite Tsunoda’s strong showing, Liam Lawson remains a formidable contender. Lawson has impressed Red Bull by running Tsunoda close in terms of performance during his rookie campaign, raising questions about whether the Kiwi might be a better long-term investment. Lawson’s poise and adaptability have been standout attributes, particularly for someone so early in their F1 career.

Marko’s Influence and Internal Politics

While Marko’s praise for Tsunoda is a positive sign, his influence within Red Bull’s decision-making structure isn’t absolute. The final call will also factor in input from team principal Christian Horner and other senior figures. Historically, Marko has been more supportive of Tsunoda’s potential as Verstappen’s teammate, but others within the organization have expressed doubts about whether the Japanese driver can handle the immense pressure of competing at the front of the grid.

What’s Next?

The clock is ticking for Red Bull to finalize its 2025 driver pairing. Tsunoda’s strong performance in Abu Dhabi may have bolstered his chances, but whether it’s enough to sway the decision-makers remains to be seen. As Marko hinted, Tsunoda is “just one of the many talents” Red Bull has at its disposal, a reminder of the team’s deep pool of young drivers eager for their shot at the big leagues.

For now, Red Bull fans are left to speculate: will Tsunoda’s technical prowess and late-season composure win him a promotion, or will Lawson’s rapid rise and untapped potential secure him the coveted seat alongside Verstappen? With an announcement imminent, the spotlight shines brightly on Red Bull’s next move—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

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