Yuki Tsunoda revealed that “he learned the most” from Daniel Ricciardo compared to any other Formula 1 team-mate he’s had at RB through its various guises.
Ricciardo’s exit from RB and F1 was announced in the days following the Singapore Grand Prix, with Liam Lawson returning to the lineup this weekend at Austin.
Tsunoda, a mainstay at the Red Bull sister outfit since his introduction to F1 in 2021, praised Ricciardo for his guidance during their season and a half together as team-mates.
The Japanese driver reflected on his parting words with Ricciardo when speaking to select media including Motorsport Week ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
“We spoke after the race in Singapore, we said thank you and that appreciate each other and I was a bit emotional, to be honest,” Tsunoda revealed.
“He’s been a very good teammate and I think the driver I learn most out of any drivers.
“I saw a couple of his social media posts and he seems like he’s enjoying the time off a little bit.”
Tsunoda not concerned by RB’s Daniel Ricciardo replacement
Lawson, Ricciardo’s mid-season replacement, has been drafted in for six races to round out the 2024 F1 campaign.
There’s talk that Red Bull‘s full driver line-up across both teams for next year remains in flux, with Sergio Perez’s seat alongside Max Verstappen far from certain in 2025.
To that end, Lawosn’s run at RB is being seen as an audition for his candidacy in both teams.
With Tsunoda continually having the measure over his RB team-mates in recent years, the thought of Lawson being promoted to Red Bull ahead of him is something he wont waste time thinking about.
“We had this situation already with Daniel, so, I mean, to be honest. I got used to it and I don’t think there’s any point talking about it,” Tsunoda explained.
“I just have to keep proving myself and how I work throughout the race weeks, just keep focussing on what I have to do and those opportunities, it’s up to them and see how it goes.”
With some perceiving Tsunoda and Lawson’s match up as a six-round shootout, one could think the dynamic has changed at RB amid the New Zealander’s arrival.
Tsunoda sees things differently, and wants to focus on RB securing sixth in the Constructors’ standings, where it holds a slender three-point advantage over Haas.
“I don’t think it’s going to change the dynamic, I think Liam, it’s not the first time with our team and we’ve both experienced already, similar situations,” Tsunoda said.
“I think what motivates us right now is to keep our position P6 until the end of the season and I’m sure Liam will do a good job as well.”
READ MORE – Exclusive: RB ready for Yuki Tsunoda to be F1 team leader amid Daniel Ricciardo exit
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