Tsunoda Faces Big Challenge as He Replaces Lawson at Red Bull Racing

Yuki Tsunoda has spoken about the pressure of driving for Red Bull Racing and the expectations of team principal Christian Horner as he prepares for his debut at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Yuki Tsunoda is embracing the pressure of making his Red Bull debut at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix. The 24-year-old was unexpectedly promoted to the Red Bull seat after the team decided to demote Liam Lawson to Racing Bulls following just two races.

Tsunoda acknowledged that he has not received any assurances about his long-term prospects with Red Bull, but he is undaunted by the challenge. Despite the intense scrutiny that comes with driving for a top team, Tsunoda is confident in his abilities and eager to prove himself. However, he is also realistic about the task ahead, recognizing that he may not be able to match the performance of his teammate, Max Verstappen, immediately.

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that he received a call from Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner after the Chinese Grand Prix, warning him that changes might be afoot. This call ultimately led to Tsunoda's surprise promotion to the top Red Bull team, replacing Liam Lawson. “I got the first call after China from (team principal) Christian (Horner), just to be prepared that things might change,” Tsunoda told reporters at Suzuka on Thursday.

Tsunoda acknowledged that his elevation to the top team is a dream come true, especially given that his first race with Red Bull Racing will be at his home grand prix in Japan. “It can't be crazier than this situation, first race with Red Bull Racing but also on top of it in a home grand prix. It's the best situation ever,” Tsunoda exclaimed.

Despite his excitement, Tsunoda was quick to temper expectations about his performance at Suzuka on Sunday. He recognizes that he faces a tough challenge in matching the level of teammate Max Verstappen. “I'm not saying it's confidence that I can perform straight away like Max,” Tsunoda said. However, he expressed confidence in his ability to make a positive impact and potentially outperform other drivers who could have been in the car. “But I have confidence that I get something bigger hopefully than other drivers who could be in the car for now.”

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has tasked him with getting as close to teammate Max Verstappen's performance level as possible. However, Tsunoda noted that Horner did not provide any specific targets or timeframe for him to prove himself in the seat. “I didn't get any like, specific races, like the time I have to prove,” Tsunoda added.

Tsunoda acknowledged that there is always pressure when driving for a top team like Red Bull Racing. Despite the challenges, he expressed appreciation for Horner's supportive approach. “He has been very supportive of me and what he wants me to achieve but there's always pressure when you get out on the track,” Tsunoda said.

At home at Suzuka 🙌

Yuki Tsunoda ends Japan's 12-year wait for a home point scorer at last season's Japanese Grand Prix 🇯🇵#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/DeMjUKsMxD

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 3, 2025

Tsunoda is under no illusions about the difficulty of driving the Red Bull car, which has proven to be a handful even for Verstappen this season. Tsunoda had the opportunity to test the car in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season and recognizes the challenge ahead.

Regarding Red Bull's decision to replace Liam Lawson with him, Tsunoda offered a nuanced perspective. He reminded reporters that he was overlooked for the seat initially, with Lawson being chosen instead. “Well, for me, at least, it was brutal enough last year at end of the season, when they chose Liam over myself,” Tsunoda said. He acknowledged that the situation can change quickly within the team's structure, but also believes that this dynamic contributes to their success. “So, we understand, and I'm sure Liam understands as well, how the situation can very quickly change within our structure. And you know, that's one of the reasons why we succeed.”