Yuki Tsunoda Shocked by Red Bull Promotion Without Marko’s Input
In a surprising turn of events, Yuki Tsunoda opened up about his recent promotion within the Red Bull Formula 1 team, expressing astonishment at not having heard from his mentor, Helmut Marko, regarding the decision.
Following a challenging few races for New Zealander Liam Lawson, Red Bull made the bold move to switch him with Tsunoda after the Chinese Grand Prix. Tsunoda revealed that it was Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, who initially hinted at the upcoming changes, leaving Tsunoda in the dark about Marko’s perspective on the situation.
Despite the lack of communication with Marko, Tsunoda remains optimistic about their relationship, stating, “From F3 to F1, he was always calling me, but this time he didn’t call me. So, I’m sure there’s not anything from his side. We still have a good relationship, so let’s see how he reacts to that.”
Notably, when Tsunoda received the news about his team switch while in the UK preparing for the Suzuka weekend with Racing Bulls, he had to quickly adjust to the new circumstances by transitioning to the Red Bull simulator.
Despite the pressure to perform well at his home Grand Prix in a car he hasn’t had much experience with, Tsunoda remains composed, citing supportive messages from former Red Bull drivers Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly. Tsunoda acknowledged that while the pressure will intensify once he hits the track, he is currently focused on staying relaxed and not letting the weight of expectations affect him.
As the anticipation builds for Tsunoda’s performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, all eyes will be on how he adapts to the new challenge and delivers under pressure.
