Despite facing a challenging situation with Liam Lawson, Red Bull has a potential ace up its sleeve – Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda, who has been patiently waiting for his moment in the spotlight, believes he is more than ready to step into the top-tier seat.
Lawson’s rocky start with the Red Bull Racing team has made headlines. With a disappointing 18th place qualification and a crash in his debut at the season opener in Australia, Lawson’s performance has been less than stellar. His lackluster performance continued at the Chinese Grand Prix, where he finished 12th and out of the points, trailing behind his team member Isack Hadjar.
On the other hand, Tsunoda’s performance has been shining through, despite his continued stint in the junior team. In his fifth year with the junior team, Tsunoda has shown consistent improvement and readiness for the big leagues. His performance at the Australian Grand Prix where he qualified fifth and finished 12th, and later his strong presence at the Chinese Grand Prix, bears testimony to his potential.
The Red Bull team’s decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda for the 2025 Formula 1 season was met with raised eyebrows. With Lawson’s experience limited to 11 Grands Prix compared to Tsunoda’s seasoned stint, the decision has been viewed as a bold gamble. A gamble that, as of now, doesn’t appear to be paying off.
When Red Bull’s star driver, Sergio Perez, hit a rough patch in 2024, several names were floated as potential replacements for the upcoming season. Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz, and Liam Lawson were all in the mix, but Tsunoda’s name was conspicuously absent from this list.
Tsunoda’s post-season test with Red Bull, widely perceived as a token gesture towards Honda, rather than a reflection of Red Bull’s confidence in Tsunoda, only added to the intrigue. When quizzed about his performance in the RB21 following the Chinese Grand Prix, Tsunoda tactfully noted he couldn’t comment on the pace difference as he hadn’t driven the car. He also acknowledged that every driver brings a unique style, subtly hinting at Lawson’s struggles.
There’s speculation brewing that Lawson might soon be dropped from the team. Should that transpire, could Tsunoda prove to be a better fit for Red Bull? Only time can tell. However, one thing is certain – Tsunoda is ready, willing, and eager to prove his mettle.