When Yuki Tsunoda was questioned about his feelings towards Liam Lawson losing his Red Bull seat, he had his own experiences in mind. “Well, it wasn’t easy for me as well at the end of last season,” Tsunoda stated, referencing the tough journey both drivers faced.
The recent reshuffle at Red Bull saw Tsunoda promoted, replacing Lawson, who had a brief stint with the team. Many in the racing community expressed sympathy for Lawson, but Tsunoda emphasized that this transition was challenging for him too. He acknowledged the efforts of all involved, saying, “He did his best for sure. We all did our best and he got the Red Bull seat which was fair and I just had to accept it.”
Tsunoda is no stranger to setbacks, having driven numerous times for the sister team without securing a Red Bull seat until recently. Reflecting on a pivotal moment, he admitted, “To be honest, I felt like the test at the end of the season was the biggest chance and closest I went throughout my career and it didn’t happen. A little bit shocking I would say but is what it is.”
Despite the initial hurdles, Tsunoda remains optimistic about the future. He highlights the strong support from the team at Red Bull: “He’ll bounce back very strongly in the RB. RB is currently in good shape. The people there are amazing, very supportive.”
In his first race, Tsunoda finished in 12th place, showing potential for improvement. Red Bull’s team boss, Christian Horner, noted that the race was heavily influenced by qualifying positions. Still, Horner sees promise in Tsunoda’s future performances, stating that the driver is integrating well with the team and should advance in upcoming races.
Meanwhile, Lawson returns to Racing Bulls after his brief promotion, reflecting a dynamic period of growth and adjustment for both drivers.
Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull highlights the complexities and challenges of Formula 1 career transitions. While his journey has been tough, the support from his team and his resilient attitude suggest that he, like Lawson, will continue to strive for success on the racing circuit. This scenario illustrates the demanding nature of the sport, where each opportunity is met with its own set of challenges and possibilities.
