Red Bull’s newest driver opened up about his journey to the senior team ahead of his home race
Two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season Red Bull shocked the paddock, demoting Liam Lawson after picking him to replace Sergio Pérez. Lawson heads back to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and Yuki Tsunoda, originally passed over for the spot at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, gets his shot to drive for the senior team.
Speaking in the FIA Press Conference ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, his home race, Tsunoda outlined his goals at Red Bull.
“Basically, be as close to Max as possible, which anyway gives good results for the team, also it allows the team to support other strategies in the race,” began Tsunoda.
The driver made it clear that as explained to him, Verstappen is the priority.
“They’ve clearly said the main priority is Max, which I completely understand, because he’s a four-time world champion and so far already in the last few races even in difficult situations he performed well. So to be as close a possible to Max,” continued Tsunoda.
“Also, to help the development as well with my feedback. They were very happy with my feedback in Abu Dhabi, so just continue that. But the main priority is to be close to Max – which won’t be easy, for sure.”
Tsunoda also shared the details behind his promotion.
Well, at least most of them.
“Well, I can’t say specific details, to be honest,” started Tsunoda.
“The first call I got was from Christian Horner after China, saying maybe be prepared, things might change a little bit. That was around Monday or Tuesday.
“I was in the UK for preparation for Suzuka – that was already planned. I did a simulator session with Red Bull Racing, at that point it was just in case,” continued the Japanese driver. “Within two or three days in the UK, he confirmed it in person. So that was kind of the timeline. I can’t when specifically but that was the timeline.”
Tsunoda also relayed that two drivers in the extended Red Bull family reached out to him with words of encouragement: One a former teammate who will be racing against him this weekend, the other the driver whose seat he currently occupies.
“[Horner] wanted me to be very confidential, so literally I didn’t call anyone. Even though I called – well, I won’t say here – I’m just kidding, I really didn’t say anything, not even to my parents,” started Tsunoda. “Actually, I told them maybe the day before the news came out. So that’s it.
“And yeah, I got a message from Pierre [Gasly], that he wanted to call me about the experience he had in Red Bull, about the things he should have done in Red Bull and he wanted to share a couple of ideas he thought could work for the coming races in Red Bull,” continued Tsunoda. “That was very nice of him and very useful tips. I also got support from [Sergio Pérez] as well. All Red Bull family drivers gave me supportive messages. Those two have been very supportive to me, and I really appreciate it. They’re drivers I respect a lot, so I’m very happy.”
The FIA Press Conference closed with Tsunoda discussing what it means to make his Red Bull debut at home, in front of his passionate Japanese fans.
“Yeah, for sure more than last year,” said Tsunoda when asked about the “Yuki hype” in Japan. “It’s good to feel those things – as a home driver, it’s always good to see that motorsport in our country is getting more and more attention.
“And I guess on top of it, this week I’m wearing Red Bull Racing colors and going to race with Red Bull Racing. Last year there was a collaboration between Honda and Red Bull, and obviously Honda is from Japan. We are big fans of Honda. Everything comes together.
“So far, the fans seem very excited and for me as a Japanese, I’m very happy to see that.”
