Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies stated his belief that Yuki Tsunoda could play a crucial role in helping Max Verstappen secure a fifth straight Formula 1 title.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has most certainly returned to the top since F1’s summer break, with Verstappen winning three out of five races, and finishing second in the other two.
Verstappen’s points hault has helped him claw back to within a realistic catching distance of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, partly thanks to the rejuvenated RB21.
The Dutchman’s victory at the United States Grand Prix was off-set by a confident and successful performance from Tsunoda, who took seventh place, more points after a relatively difficult campaign so far.
When asked after the race at COTA if Tsunoda has a part to play in Verstappen’s rediscovered championship battle, Mekies states there is, for many reasons.
I think there is a role,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “A, because there is still a Constructor Championship discussion, obviously not for the win but for the other aspects, so we need a Yuki response, and B, the faster Yuki is, the more we can split the test across the car.
“We told you a couple of times this weekend we test this with that car, we test this with the other car, so it’s important for us to have a very fast Yuki and in terms of sporting situations and battling and strategy it is also possible that with Yuki picking up we can at some stage be in a position where we battle two against two.”
Red Bull hopeful of Tsunoda input between now and season’s end
Tsunoda’s performances have not been the best in comparison to Verstappen since joining him at the team from Round 3. The Japanese has been frequently out of the points and frequently out early in qualifying.
When asked if there is more to give from Tsunoda, Mekies indicated that the team is showing real sympathy, but admitted perhaps he is looking to get even more out of him.
“You know we always want more, I’m not going to tell you it’s good enough because you are right in quoting your numbers, I’m not going to tell you that it’s good enough, nobody feels like that, Yuki doesn’t feel like that, all I’m saying is that it’s two races in the points, it’s two very good starts, it’s two very good first laps and it’s a progression compared to what has been shown so far this year.
“Is it good enough? No, I would lie if I was telling you that and more so Yuki would not be happy if I was telling you that it’s good enough.”
Tsunoda was involved in a testy exchange with Haas’ Oliver Bearman, who had to take avoiding action on him after attempting an overtake late in the race.
It gave Tsunoda the freedom the finish the race untroubled and secure valuable points for the team, but irked the young Brit, who placed the blame square at his door.
Mekies defended his driver, but was diplomatic in his own assessment of the race.
“I tell you what, I didn’t look at the data, I saw it live like you and with all due respect to everyone involved, I don’t think there was anything dangerous there, I think it was two guys battling.
“Austin has that great characteristic where you see on several corners quite a few different racing lines that you can have to attack or to defend and I think if you look back last year on similar corners, you had a few drivers using that to defend and I think that’s what happened.
“I’m sorry that Oli had to go off track there, but I don’t think there was anything controversial.”
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