As the 2025 Formula 1 season roars into action, Racing Bulls’ Team Principal, Laurent Mekies, expresses his anticipation for an elevated performance from ace driver Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver’s remarkable evolution in the 2024 season was undoubtedly his best so far, successfully outpacing his fellow team members, Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson.
Despite Tsunoda’s impressive performance, it was Lawson who was picked by Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez and accompany Max Verstappen in the 2025 season. This move left Tsunoda with the Faenza-based Racing Bulls team for his fifth consecutive season. However, Tsunoda has gracefully accepted the decision, viewing it as an opportunity to hone his leadership skills and further develop his racing prowess, as revealed in an interview with Motorsport Week.
Mekies holds Tsunoda in high esteem, praising the phenomenal progress he demonstrated in 2024, both in terms of raw speed and technical prowess. His commendable performance last season earned him a spot among the ranks of the most skilled drivers, raising the question of whether there’s still room for further growth. In Mekies’ view, there is undoubtedly potential for Tsunoda to hit higher gears.
Mekies sees Tsunoda as Racing Bulls’ team leader in the forthcoming season, stating, “He was an integral part of all the changes we initiated last year and now, he will be our reference point in terms of speed and what the car is doing. With Isack [Hadjar] embarking on his rookie season, Yuki will be very much the team leader.”
Tsunoda, on his part, is ready to embrace the leadership role and exceed the team’s expectations. He aims to kick off the new season with the same vigor he demonstrated at the end of the previous season, and then continue to polish his skills and enhance his concentration. By focusing on the finer details, he believes he can make a significant difference and retain his position in the top 10, despite an expectedly stiffer competition this year.
In conclusion, both Mekies and Tsunoda are excited and hopeful for the upcoming F1 2025 season. Tsunoda’s leadership and potential for further growth are seen as key elements to Racing Bulls’ plans for the forthcoming campaign. The team’s ultimate goal, however, is to secure a Red Bull F1 seat for Tsunoda, which undoubtedly signals their confidence in his abilities. As the season gets underway, all eyes will be on Tsunoda to see if he can deliver on these high expectations.