Yuki Tsunoda has been encouraged to draw on Liam Lawson’s promotion as motivation to not give up on pursuing a potential drive with the parent Red Bull team in Formula 1.
Sergio Perez’s disastrous campaign last time around prompted him to be dropped, opening up a seat at Red Bull that Lawson and Tsunoda were the candidates to take.
But despite being the more experienced driver among the two ex-Racing Bulls team-mates, Red Bull has elected to pair Lawson with reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen.
Red Bull cited Lawson’s mental resolve as an attribute that got him the nod over Tsunoda, who has been unable to dispel the doubts the senior bosses retain about him.
However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner insisted that the Japanese driver remains an option the group could explore should Lawson’s spell not materialise as desired.
Horner has now challenged Tsunoda to use the upcoming season, his fifth with Red Bull’s satellite team, to make a compelling case that he would merit a coveted step up.
Regarding Tsunoda, who will serve as Red Bull’s reserve driver in 2025, Horner told RacingNews365: “He said his motivation was to demonstrate that he warrants the opportunity.
“The Racing Bulls team will hopefully make a step forward again as they utilise the rear suspension, gearbox and other aspects they are allowed to use.
“As that team and new management matures, it will naturally take a step forward.
“And he’s very determined. He knows that things change very quickly. Who would have thought nine months ago we’d be talking about Liam Lawson being our driver for 2025?
“Things change quickly in this industry, and he’s aware of that, and knows that he needs to be the one demonstrating that he’s the one knocking on the door.”
Red Bull more willing to release Tsunoda
Red Bull has aimed to alleviate the pressure on Lawson with the admission that his main target will be to assist Verstappen in the team’s bid to regain the Constructors’ title.
In the scenario where Lawson does enough to retain the spot going into the rule change in 2026, Horner has conceded Red Bull would have to consider releasing Tsunoda.
“We’re acutely aware that if we’re not able to provide an opportunity for Yuki – being, in all honesty, this year [2025] – does it make sense [to keep him]?” he told The Race in 2024.
“You can’t have a driver in the support team for five years. You can’t always be the bridesmaid.
“You’ve either got to let them go at that point or look at something different.”
Lindblad emergence could spell Tsunoda exit
Red Bull could be persuaded to let Tsunoda go amid Arvid Lindblad’s emergence, with the Briton, 18, now eligible to land an FIA superlicense with his recent title success.
Both Horner and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko have raved about Lindblad, who appears poised to make his debut at an F1 weekend this season during an FP1 session.
Lindblad will compete in Formula 2 in 2025, where a strong opening to the campaign could put him in the driving seat to receive a promotion to F1 with Red Bull’s sister squad.
READ MORE – Exclusive: Yuki Tsunoda reveals factors that would dictate potential F1 move
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