Adrian Newey was a potential obstacle to Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to the Red Bull Formula 1 team, according to the team’s senior advisor Helmut Marko.
The Japanese driver has been elevated to the team from its junior outfit Racing Bulls, after Liam Lawson struggled to get to grips with the team’s RB21 challenger in the first two Grand Prix weekends.
Tsunoda was overlooked by Red Bull for promotion in the off-season, despite having completed four seasons at the Faenza-based team.
Speaking to Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung, Marko intimated that former chief technical officer Newey, who departed the team to Aston Martin from this season onwards, was a possible barrier to the 24-year-old’s progression during his time with the Milton Keynes-based squad.
“For a long time, Yuki had the image of not performing consistently and making silly mistakes here and there,” he said.
“This happened last year in Mexico, for example, where the decision-making phase began for us. With Lawson, it was initially the exact opposite: he came and delivered immediately, no matter how much pressure there was. In hindsight, however, it wasn’t the right decision.
“In general, however, a lot can be attributed to a single incident. Tsunoda once drove into Pierre Gasly’s car there [at the 2022 British Grand Prix], and parts of the cars on the track subsequently damaged the underbody of Verstappen’s car, which caused him to lose the race.
“Adrian Newey was furious at the time. From then on, Yuki was a red flag to him. But now Newey is gone and Yuki has worked hard on himself.”
Tsunoda can ‘absolutely’ be number one driver at Red Bull
Marko also stated that Tsunoda has the potential to eventually become a number one driver in an F1 team.
Red Bull currently revolve its plans, and its car, around Max Verstappen, but the Dutchman’s future at the team still appears unclear.
Speculation that Verstappen will eventually jump ship began last year, with rumours continuing to circulate that he may join-up with Newey at Aston Martin, or could make a move to Mercedes, with George Russell’s contract up at the end of the year.
Such an eventuality would lead to Red Bull seeking to find someone who would be its outright number one driver, and Marko seemingly has no hesitations in Tsunoda’s ability to take on such a mantle.
“Yes, absolutely,” he said.
“He came out of the winter break strong and delivered two great races in which only the strategy department prevented a better position.
“Yuki has changed management, has simply grown up – and he has a lot of self-confidence anyway.”
Marko also said that he had heard Tsunoda say “that he’s already expecting a podium finish in Japan,” adding: “I would be happy if Max finished on the podium… But well, let’s wait and see.”
READ MORE – Helmut Marko admits Red Bull is ‘missing’ Adrian Newey
