Red Bull Racing continues to express reservations about Yuki Tsunoda’s readiness to compete at the highest level in Formula 1, despite the young Japanese driver’s impressive performances this season. Daniel Ricciardo, Tsunoda’s teammate, has suggested that Red Bull’s reluctance to consider Tsunoda for a seat alongside Max Verstappen stems from lingering doubts about his ability to handle the pressures of racing at the sharp end of the grid.
Tsunoda has been a standout performer this season, playing a crucial role in Red Bull’s ascent to sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship, and even outscoring Ricciardo by 10 points. Yet, despite Sergio Perez’s struggles, which have cast uncertainty over his future with the team, Red Bull appears more inclined to look at Ricciardo or reserve driver Liam Lawson as potential replacements, rather than promoting Tsunoda.
Nonetheless, Tsunoda’s strong showings have not gone unnoticed, earning him a contract renewal with Red Bull through 2025, ensuring his continued presence on the grid with the Faenza-based team. Ricciardo, reflecting on his teammate’s progress, acknowledged that Tsunoda is finally beginning to receive the recognition he deserves, which was not always the case in the earlier stages of his F1 career.
“I think now he’s definitely getting probably the credit that he deserves,” Ricciardo shared with Motorsport.com. “A lot of people still think about his first year where he made a lot of mistakes, and it felt like maybe he couldn’t really adjust to Formula 1, like it was all a bit too much.”
Ricciardo pointed out that while Pierre Gasly consistently outperformed Tsunoda during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the latter half of 2022 saw Tsunoda close the gap and start to showcase his potential. Ricciardo added, “He’s definitely grown a lot in the last couple of years. So yes, he’s fast. Do I rate him? I do. He’s probably become a bit more aware of his attitude as well. I think he’s doing a really good job.”
Despite his progress, Tsunoda’s readiness to step up to a Red Bull seat remains a contentious issue within the team. Tsunoda himself has expressed frustration over Red Bull’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for the idea, hinting that “other factors” may have influenced the decision. This sentiment was particularly evident during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, where Tsunoda voiced his discontent.
Ricciardo, who has his own aspirations to return to a Red Bull seat, hinted that the team’s hesitance may be linked to concerns about Tsunoda’s ability to cope with the added pressure, drawing a parallel to Lando Norris’s experience in 2021. Ricciardo recounted, “I won [at Monza], he was second. The next race he was on pole, he was leading. In that moment, the experience and composure of Lewis [Hamilton] won him that race and lost Lando the race.”
Ricciardo emphasized that while Tsunoda has shown significant growth and consistency, the true test of his capabilities will only come when he faces the intense scrutiny and pressure of competing at the front. “We’ve all got the speed, but it’s like when the lights are fully turned up, who can still make those decisions and stay most composed,” Ricciardo noted. “Yuki has to answer that in due time, but my answer is definitely not no. I do think he’s got the ability, but that part is up to him.”
As Tsunoda continues to develop and refine his skills, the question of whether he can step up to the challenge of racing alongside Verstappen remains open. For now, Red Bull appears to be taking a cautious approach, ensuring that any promotion within the team is based on more than just raw speed, but also on the ability to perform under the most intense pressures Formula 1 has to offer.
Photo from Yuki Tsunoda Instagram
