Tsunoda Seizes Red Bull Chance at Home Race

Yuki Tsunoda is the latest driver to take on what his team boss calls Formula 1`s most challenging position: partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.

Following Liam Lawson`s brief stint in the second Red Bull car, Tsunoda will drive for the team starting from his home race at Suzuka this weekend. This opportunity gives Tsunoda a platform to demonstrate his readiness to compete at the top level of F1.

For Red Bull, this driver change, though sudden, is a chance to assess if they have made the correct decision in selecting Sergio Perez`s replacement.

Tsunoda`s Long-Awaited Opportunity

Last July, amid rumors about Perez`s performance, Tsunoda expressed his frustration about not being considered for a Red Bull promotion. By then, in his fourth season with the junior team, he had matured into a more consistent driver, reducing on-track incidents and radio outbursts.

Having improved alongside Pierre Gasly and outperformed Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo, Tsunoda felt he deserved a shot at a top seat.

“I feel ready to compete against top teams, even against Max,” Tsunoda stated last year. “Ultimately, the decision is theirs.”

Despite his progress and consistent performance against experienced teammates, Tsunoda`s path to Red Bull seemed blocked, especially with Honda`s move to Aston Martin in 2025.

However, Lawson`s initial struggles early in the new season prompted Red Bull to make a swift change, opening the door for Tsunoda.

Challenges at Suzuka

Tsunoda`s immediate task is to adapt to the RB21 car, which even Verstappen acknowledges is currently difficult to handle. Unlike Lawson, Tsunoda lacks pre-season testing experience with this car, making his first experience during Friday practice at Suzuka.

While debuting for the main team at his home Grand Prix adds pressure, Suzuka is a familiar circuit for Tsunoda. He has consistently performed well here, achieving a personal best finish of 10th last year.

With strong home support, Tsunoda aims to capitalize on his good form this season with Racing Bulls, where he has consistently qualified in the top 10 and scored points.

Tsunoda has prepared with seat fittings and simulator sessions at Red Bull`s factory. The practice sessions at Suzuka will be crucial for building confidence with the car and integrating with his new team.

Performance Expectations

Red Bull likely doesn`t expect Tsunoda to immediately match Verstappen`s pace. The focus for Tsunoda is to consistently perform well and secure points.

Formula 1 commentator David Croft suggests Tsunoda should aim to be within a couple of tenths of Verstappen in qualifying and consistently score points. He should focus on maximizing his own performance each session and race, rather than directly competing with Verstappen immediately.

Verstappen`s exceptional talent makes the second Red Bull seat demanding. Tsunoda needs to handle this pressure, focusing on his own race and delivering his best for the team.

Tsunoda`s Record at Racing Bulls

Tsunoda`s Record against Team-mates