Table of Contents
- Yuki Tsunoda may race at the Japanese Grand Prix in place of Red Bull’s Liam Lawson
- Lawson replaced Sergio Perez who left at the end of the 2024 season
- He has had a challenging, first two races of the season. Red Bull is considering racing Tsunoda in Japan on April 4-6
Red Bull is considering Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix in place of embattled teammate Liam Lawson.
Lawson hasn’t impressed the Red Bull Racing this season. He was edged out of the stage in all the first three qualifying sessions.
He lacked pace according to team driver Max Verstappen. The New Zealander joined Red Bull’s junior racing team in 2021.
He rose to Red Bull’s reserve driver and team principal Christian Horner picked him to replace Sergio Perez who left Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season.
Still, F1 critics said Tsunoda was a better pick to replace Perez.
Will Christian Horner Pick Yuki Tsunoda for Japanese Grand Prix?
Speaking shortly after the Chinese Grand Prix, Horner did not deny talks of fronting Yuki Tsunoda for the Japanese Grand Prix.
This followed Lawson’s dismal performance that had Verstappen talking about. Horner when questioned on Tsunoda responded by saying there was speculation from the paddock on this move and they are ‘looking at it.’
The Red Bull chief sympathized with Lawson stating that it was evident he was struggling to adapt to the team. Horner said he [Lawson] is still unable to bring out his potential despite having lots of it.
Red Bull driver Liam Lawson, 23, with team principal Christian Horner. Lawson has had a troubling season so far. Photo/GP Fans
He hypothesized that this could have resulted from a series of tough weekends and the media focus on him only made it worse.
Horner admitted that Red Bull owed Lawson, 23, the duty of care in such stressful times. He insisted that while the New Zealander is a capable Red Bull driver, the team isn’t feeling his effect yet.
So, is this enough to speculate that Yuki Tsunoda will replace him at the Japanese Grand Prix slated for April 4-6? Horner played smart with words.
He digressed saying they will look into Lawson’s delivery, look at his challenges and help where needed. Lawson told Sky Sports F1 that it’s been challenging for him in his first two races.
However, he expressed enthusiasm for ‘rising above the challenges’ to meet the team’s demands.
How Does Tsunoda Feel about it all?
The Japanese driver is happy that paddock talk has his name for grand prix in his home country. Tsunoda couldn’t hide his frustration for being overlooked by Red Bull in replacing Perez despite his experience.
Left with no option, he decided to let his experience and skill speak for him, and this is looking like so two races into the season.
Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda. He could race at the Japanese Grand Prix. Photo/Autosport
He managed a sixth finish on Saturday at the Shanghai Sprint. Horner is aware that Yuki Tsunoda is an experienced driver.
He praised his performance in Shanghai’s qualifying sprints. Asked if he would have been a better replacement for Perez, Horner said ‘they made the best decision based on available data at the time.’
It was widely speculated that the Japanese driver would replace Perez after the season’s end grand prix in Abu Dhabi.
Tsunoda came in and tested for Red Bull. The results were impressive but ‘that’s all they were.’ Fast forward, Red Bull Racing is in a conundrum given Lawson’s performance in the first two races of the season.
Horner believes Lawson will catch up but critics say this is a hard gamble for Red Bull ‘who won’t admit they erred in picking the New Zealander over Yuki.’
