Yuki Tsunoda has denied two theories that’ve been reported as the reasons that Red Bull continues to be sceptical about promoting him to its senior Formula 1 team.
An opening at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen could be available as Sergio Perez’s disastrous season is poised to see the side choose not to retain him into 2025.
But while Red Bull is expected to turn to sister team RB to pick a replacement, Liam Lawson is tipped to be the leading contender over the more experienced Tsunoda.
Tsunoda delivered a standout campaign in 2024 as he amassed 30 of RB’s 46 points, but Red Bull has remained unenamoured about the prospect of him stepping up.
That comes despite Tsunoda having outclassed the more established Daniel Ricciardo, who was recognised as Red Bull’s insurance name until Lawson took his drive.
With Red Bull set to make a decision on Perez’s position this week, Tsunoda has proclaimed that there is little more he could have done this season to stake his claim.
“As I always say, throughout the season, I made a pretty good statement,” Tsunoda told media including Motorsport Week post-race in Abu Dhabi.
“And it started in Bahrain. Everyone probably expected Daniel to be in the Red Bull and I was still able to improve.
“Obviously some races I could have done better, but at the same time, I was consistent in how I was able to extract performance from the car compared to my team-mates.”
Red Bull’s hesitance towards handing Tsunoda his desired chance is believed to be related to concerns over his technical feedback and his temperament on the radio.
Tsunoda has argued those negative points against his name have become invalid, though, based on his role in helping RB to almost double its points total from 2022.
“Please go through the last 24 races, how many times I shouted,” he queried.
“Maybe the first race [in Bahrain] was pretty bad, but I don’t think there’s much room that they can complain about that.
“Look at other drivers, I’m sure I definitely made myself calm more than others and focused on what I can do.
“If my feedback is bad, then the team [shouldn’t] have been able to improve like this and score as many points.
“But it’s obvious there is still room to improve; I am not a perfect driver yet. I’m not in 100 per cent shape yet, but at the same time, I can prove it.”
Tsunoda relishing Red Bull test outing
Tsunoda will receive the chance to demonstrate what he can do in a modern Red Bull car when he samples the RB20 in the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he admitted. “It’s the first time I’m driving a different car, and it’s still in a similar group, but the car will be much different.
“I’m excited, obviously I’ll enjoy it, but at the same time I’m fully focused.
“Obviously something after this disappointing race [Tsunoda came 12th in Abu Dhabi], it’s good that it’s something I can look forward to.
“I hope I can give them feedback that they can benefit from something for the future. I’m fully focused on that.”
Tsunoda certain he can impress Red Bull
Tsunoda revealed that Red Bull had kept him in the dark about the run programme he will conducting, but he is optimistic that he can prove his credentials regardless.
“I haven’t received any run plan yet, but to be honest I want to do what they asked me to do,” he added.
“I want to do what they asked, with 100 per cent performance.
“Even though I didn’t get the performance or run plan, I can do other things that maybe I can impress them.”
READ MORE – Helmut Marko suggests factors behind Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull F1 omission
