Helmut Marko claimed Honda’s influence was “not a decisive factor” in Red Bull promoting Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
After just two GPs, Red Bull has decided to abandon its Liam Lawson experiment.
The New Zealander heads back to Racing Bulls, and at long last, Tsunoda gets his shot at the senior outfit alongside Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda’s Red Bull bow will come in his home race at Suzuka, which is owned by Honda.
The Japanese marque has been a major backer of Tsunoda’s career and throughout its engine partnership with the two Red Bull F1 teams, has contributed to the 24-year-old’s contract, save for his most-recent Racing Bulls extension.
Still, despite this, Marko has dispelled the notion that Honda was the major instigator in Red Bull’s decision-making.
“The fact that Japan happens to be the next race is just a coincidence,” the Red Bull senior advisor told Formel1.de.
“And of course, Honda is happy with the decision – that’s clear.
“But that wasn’t the decisive factor. Honda’s involvement ends at the end of this year anyway.”
Marko insisted that “Yuki has undergone a transformation.
“He changed his management, and in this situation, this was simply the best option.”
Tsunoda’s results back this up as the Japanese driver has been a consistent presence inside the top-10 during qualifying, with Racing Bulls’ strategy misfires the only thing holding him back from 100% points scoring.
Marko downplays financial incentives behind Tsunoda promotion
Reports indicated that Honda was coughing up millions to get its countryman into the Red Bull seat in time for the Japanese GP.
That led to arguments that Red Bull was swayed by a financial incentive to make its decision, not dissimilar to the factors that helped Sergio Perez retain his seat for so long, given his significant commercial backing from Mexico.
However, Marko dispelled financial incentives had a part to play in Tsunoda’s promotion.
“That wasn’t decisive and wasn’t the motivation behind the decision either,” he said.
Regardless of the factor behind the decision, the optics behind Tsunoda making his Red Bull debut at Suzuka are positive for him and Honda.
Unsurprisingly, the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) was buoyed by the news.
“We are delighted that Yuki Tsunoda, a graduate of Honda’s driver development program, has made great progress in his fifth year as an F1 driver and will be racing for Oracle Red Bull Racing, one of the strongest teams in F1,” HRC President Koji Watanabe said on Thursday.
“We look forward to his future success.”
READ MORE – Helmut Marko reveals how long Yuki Tsunoda will have to impress Red Bull
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