Yuki Tsunoda on Red Bull chances he thinks has disappeared, Liam Lawson demoted and Max Verstappen Challenge

Yuki Tsunoda admits he believes he thinks the Red Bull promotion opportunity replaced Liam Lawson before a sudden call as he outlines the goals given by his new team.

Tsunoda will debut on Red Bull’s senior team this weekend at his home Grand Prix, and initially ignored for three months for the wiser Lawson team leader.

Special speech Sky Sports F1 During a Red Bull demonstration in Tokyo on Wednesday, Tsunoda said he believes his test of the team at the Abu Dhabi meeting in December’s playoffs proved to be his ultimate opportunity.

Asked if he thinks that the promotion will never happen after four years racing for Red Bull’s junior team, Tsunoda admits: “Honestly, yes.

“Even if I was the reserve driver for Red Bull Racing this year in 2025 and I had already seated before the Bahrain test, maybe like 10% of myself, in my mind, like what seat I’m doing?’ You know what I mean?

“I think the end of last year’s season was the biggest opportunity, and I haven’t happened to it in my entire career.

But Lawson’s struggles in the opening two games of the season meant that Sunoda now has a chance to drive the RB21 next to world champion Max Verstappen, the last home game between engine partner Honda and Red Bull.

Tsunoda’s career has long been supported by Japanese manufacturers.

Given the unexpected promotion situation, Tsunoda admits: “It’s hard to go through (something) in the future,” – although he says he’s taking it because “I like the challenge” and “I like taking risks.”

But despite being apparently the biggest opportunity in the 24-year-old F1 career, even Red Bulls principal Christian Horner often describes the seat next to it as “the hardest in F1.”

After Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and now Lawson, Tsunoda is the fifth driver to take the seat in seven seasons.

“It was a little unknown until I walked on the track with him, but I’m sure it would be challenging,” Tsunoda said.

“He is currently the greatest driver in the world and we all know he’s good, but I just built my own pace, you know, and learned as much as I can, but a good advantage is that I’ve been in RB for five years.”

“I just need to accept” – Tsunoda compares to his disappointment

When asked if he felt like Lawson, who played side by side with the Racing Bulls in 2023-2024, Tsunoda Drew compared his own disappointment as he was disappointed to miss the New Zealander’s seat.

“Well, at the end of last season, it wasn’t that easy, but he’s sure to do his best,” Tsunoda said.

Tsunoda added: “Yes.

“I’m sure he’ll rebound very strongly. RB is in good shape at the moment, the people there are great and very supportive, so I hope Liam gets back on health and if all four cars fight in the top 10, that’s probably the best Red Bull (news), so we have to rebound strongly.”

What if Tsunoda struggles like Lawson?

Talk to it too Sky Sports F1 In Tokyo on Wednesday, Captain Horner said Red Bull “need to learn from Yuki’s recognition that the team has been “related to cars” and it turns out that four-time champion Verstappen so far this season is also difficult to deal with.

But what if Tsunoda’s adaptation of RB21 isn’t a Swifter that’s easier than Lawson?

Asked if there was no risk of struggling like his brief ex, Horner replied: “Yes, there are, but it points very firmly to the car, and I think we have a fourth-grade driver with Yuki who is able to attract his experience and be able to draw the effort of engineers to map the development of the situation.

“It was a tough task for him to jump straight into the car, but it was on the track he was familiar with and we were doing very quickly well and could have enough impact for the rest of the season.”

“Yuki did four and one season in Formula 1. We know his skills very well and I think that will allow us to develop the car firmly to make sure both drivers can drive this car, and whether Yuki will change further in the seat.

What did Tsunoda be told, what was his goal?

Unlike Lawson, Tsunoda has no preseason benefits in RB21, so his first real-life driving will be played in two practice games in Suzuki on Friday morning, playing at 3.30am and 7am respectively. Sky Sports F1.

Tsunoda, who sampled the car in the fleet’s simulator before flying to Japan, said he had the same goal as Lawson to qualify as close to Verstappen as possible and backed up the Dutch efforts to help Red Bull regain the builder’s title that he lost last year.

“It’s fair. It’s very difficult to get as close to the Max as possible, but at the same time, I’m going to do my best.”

“I’ve been in the third quarter so far (this season) and I feel confident about it. Just build the pace and feel like cars from FP1 to FP3, it’s not a lot of time, but I know I can do it. Hopefully I can do more.”

Is Tsunoda ready for Red Bull?

Sky Sports F1’s Bernie Collins speaks on the latest version of the F1 show:

“Listen to the radio communications alone, he has made great progress since he started in F1 until now. He has been much calmer and has better feedback.

“We are still angry, but he is not a real emotional character (he is), and I think that’s one of the reasons why Red Bull is back.

“I think he keeps a lot on the radio.

“Driving a brand new car is a big risk in your family’s Grand Prix, but he should look at the weather forecast and take part in three good practices. If they focus on the right things, there’s no reason he shouldn’t do it well.”

Regarding his prospects for home games, Tsunoda puts forward expectations for any immediate guarantee of success.

“It’s not really the idea of podiums,” he said.

“It’s a completely different car with only three sessions (before qualifying), and I’m sure the beast in the Red Bull car seems to be hard to handle it, so it’s not easy to even score points or (enter) Q3 for a limited time.

“So I will go step by step and if I score, I’m happy. I’m sure I’ll get a step up from Suzuki (in) and will be in the race soon.

“But for now, Suzuki, I just like myself and feel the car. Hopefully I can fully understand the car so that I can give feedback more specifically in the upcoming races. That’s my main goal.”

In an early potential sign, Tsunoda said he actually “used” a Red Bull-like overdose car before reaching F1, so now hopes to “reveal different aspects of myself” in RB21.

He added: “At least so far, in the simulator, I feel good.”

Thursday, April 3

5 a.m.: Driver’s press conference

Friday, April 4

3 am: Japanese GP Practice 1 (the meeting starts at 3.30am)*
5.30am: Team Principal’s Press Conference
6.45am: Japanese GP practice twice (the meeting starts at 7 am)*
8.15am: F1 performance*

Saturday, April 5

3.15am: Three Japanese GP exercises (the meeting starts at 3.30am)*
6:00 a.m.: Accumulation of qualified general practitioners in Japan*
7:00 a.m.: Japanese GP Qualification*
9:00 am: TED Qualification Notebook*

Sunday, April 6

4.30am: Japanese GPs Gathering: Grand Prize Sunday*
6:00 am: Japan Award*
8 am: Japan GP reaction: Checkered flag*
9:00 am: TED’s notebook*

*Also live in the main event of Sky Sports

Formula One car heads to the iconic Suzuki Tour of the Japanese Grand Prix from April 4 to 6, live broadcast of Sky Sports F1. Streaming with Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel at any time

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