The drama at Red Bull Racing continues to unfold as Yuki Tsunoda steps into the spotlight during this week’s Abu Dhabi tire test. With Sergio Perez’s future at the team under intense scrutiny, team principal Christian Horner has described this opportunity as a high-stakes audition for the Japanese driver.
Tsunoda’s Moment to Shine
For the first time, Tsunoda got behind the wheel of the RB20, tasked with testing Pirelli’s 2025 tires. While the focus was ostensibly on tire data collection, Horner left no doubt that this was a proving ground for Tsunoda.
“Any time you sit in a Formula 1 car it’s an opportunity to prove yourself,” Horner told SiriusXM. “It’s a great chance for Yuki to work with the engineering team and showcase what he can do.”
Tsunoda’s outing came as rumors swirl around Perez’s likely departure after a lackluster 2024 season that saw him finish a distant eighth in the drivers’ standings. Meanwhile, Formula 2 standout Isack Hadjar also joined Red Bull’s young driver test, keeping the heat on the competition for a seat in 2025.
Horner’s Take: Two Contenders, One Seat
Horner’s comments have made it clear: both Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, who impressed during his stint as a reserve driver, are front-runners if Perez is replaced.
“Liam has done a very good job in challenging circumstances. If you analyze his race pace and what he’s achieved in the time he’s had, he’s proven himself,” Horner said. “Yuki has also done a solid job. Both are strong candidates.”
Perez: A Legacy in Question
Despite a tough 2024 campaign, Horner was quick to defend Perez’s contributions since joining Red Bull in 2021, emphasizing his five race wins and runner-up finish in the 2023 championship.
“Checo has been a great team member, and it’s been a tough year for him. We’ll reflect on what happened and how we move forward,” Horner said. “He’ll always be a big part of this team’s story.”
The Bigger Picture
This latest test has underlined the intense internal scrutiny at Red Bull, with the team balancing its championship ambitions with ensuring its second driver can consistently deliver. Perez’s struggles in 2024 not only hurt his stock but also contributed to Red Bull’s drop to third in the constructors’ standings, a wake-up call for the team.
As Tsunoda showcases his skills in one of the grid’s top-performing cars, and Lawson waits in the wings, Red Bull has a crucial decision to make. With the 2025 season promising to be a blockbuster showdown across multiple teams, the right choice for the second seat could make or break Red Bull’s championship aspirations.