Yuki Tsunoda recently addressed the complexities surrounding his promotion to the Red Bull seat, following Liam Lawson’s short-lived stint.
As the racing world buzzes with talk of team changes, one of the most intriguing stories is Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to a coveted Red Bull seat. The racing community has displayed an outpouring of empathy for Liam Lawson, who, after only two races, found his dream dashed. When asked about his feelings on the matter, Tsunoda was candid in acknowledging that the decision was tough for both parties.
Tsunoda, who has been with the sister team for an impressive 89 races, shared how he felt the door to a Red Bull seat was always just out of his reach. Despite the setback, he emphasized that everyone, including Lawson, gave their all to earn their place. He remarked, ‘Well it wasn’t easy for me as well at the end of last season… 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.’
Expressing admiration for Lawson’s resilience, Tsunoda expects him to bounce back robustly. He highlighted the supportive nature of the Red Bull team and the great shape the Racing Bulls are currently in, stating, ‘If we have all four cars fighting top 10, there’s probably the best Red Bull result ever so we have to bounce back strongly.’
In the wake of his own promotion, Tsunoda recalls a pivotal test at the end of the previous season, which for him, seemed like the last real shot at clinching a spot with Red Bull. Reflecting on his journey, he admitted that not making the cut initially left him shocked. ‘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,’ he confessed.
Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner offered his perspective on Tsunoda’s performance in his first race post-promotion, despite a 12th place finish. Horner remains optimistic about Tsunoda’s future, praising his adaptability and ability to integrate into the team: ‘I think he should make a step forward, certainly over the next few races,’ Horner commented.
The reshuffle within Red Bull’s lineup brings both challenges and opportunities. While Tsunoda settles into his new role with optimism, the racing community watches closely to see how both he and Lawson navigate this transitional period.
