Yuki Tsunoda’s journey at Red Bull has hit an unexpected hurdle, despite the team’s efforts to acclimate him to their car.
Tsunoda, who transitioned from Racing Bulls to Red Bull, faced challenges adapting to the RB21 car. Often, drivers assume an easy switch due to the partnership between the teams. However, Tsunoda, much like Liam Lawson before him, has realized that pace in one car does not guarantee the same performance in another.
In his four races with the Red Bull, Tsunoda managed to earn just six points, struggling to match the relentless speed of Max Verstappen. Nevertheless, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, remains optimistic about Tsunoda’s prospects. The team had organized a Test for Pre-Season Cars (TPC) at Silverstone to provide Tsunoda with the much-needed experience and familiarity with the car. Unfortunately, the notorious British weather played spoilsport with rain affecting the morning session, limiting Tsunoda’s time on the track. Despite these setbacks, he completed a few valuable laps, which were seen as beneficial.
Horner explained that the primary purpose of the TPC was to offer Tsunoda more time with the engineering team and get acquainted with the procedures at Red Bull Racing. While unexpected weather conditions hampered the initial plans, the team viewed the session as an opportunity for Tsunoda to integrate further into the team dynamics.
When questioned about Tsunoda’s drawbacks compared to Verstappen, Horner refrained from singling out specific areas of improvement. He acknowledged the challenge spans multiple aspects of a lap. Yet, Horner praised Tsunoda for his valuable experience and engaging personality, which brings a positive vibe to the team. As Tsunoda gains confidence, Horner believes he will climb higher in the ranks.
Despite the initial setbacks, Yuki Tsunoda’s journey with Red Bull remains hopeful, with the team confident in his potential as he gains more experience and finds his rhythm.
