Yuki Tsunoda has revealed that departed Red Bull boss Christian Horner sent him a supportive message encouraging him to show his worth to the team in Formula 1.
Red Bull heads into this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix without Horner at the helm following the news earlier this month that his two-decade reign has come to an end.
Horner’s tenure being cut short has occurred at a time when there is also substantial doubt surrounding whether Tsunoda will remain in the Red Bull stable past 2025.
The Japanese driver has struggled since exchanging spots with Liam Lawson three rounds into the campaign, scoring seven points during his 10 outings in the RB21.
But as he battles to ensure his long-awaited chance with a leading team isn’t short-lived, Tsunoda has divulged that Horner has motivated him to reverse the situation.
“I appreciate how Christian supported me at various races,” Tsunoda told media including Motorsport Week.
“I got a message from him yesterday: ‘Show what you can do’.”
Tsunoda has admitted Red Bull’s choice to axe Horner, who guided the team to eight Drivers and six Constructors’ titles during his time, was a complete shock to him.
“Definitely, yes, surprising for me,” he expressed.
“It’s such a big, big change. The last 20 years, since Red Bull signed with Christian, they always worked with Christian.
“It’s a big change for the team. I got information from Helmut [Marko] on that day. That’s pretty much all I can say on that. I’m just focused on driving.”
Tsunoda endorses Red Bull’s Mekies appointment
But the upheaval at Red Bull has provided a potential boost to Tsunoda as Horner’s successor is Laurent Mekies, whom he worked under at Racing Bulls up until April.
“I’m sure he can bring something that he found in Racing Bulls, and he brings the positives that he’s done in the last two years,” Tsunoda assessed.
“Maybe under a third perspective, it’s good that a new person came in and saw a new perspective, new angles.
“Let’s see how he’s going to approach it. But also, we have a lot of good people already. They know what they’re doing.”
READ MORE – Where new Red Bull F1 boss Laurent Mekies has already impressed Max Verstappen
