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After completing over 3 seasons in Formula 1, Yuki Tsunoda believes he is ready to clinch Sergio Perez's Red Bull Racing seat for the 2025 season. The Japanese driver spoke about the same in an interview with Sky Sports F1.
On the back of successful Formula 4 and Formula 2 seasons, Tsunoda began his F1 career with AlphaTauri (RBR's sister team) in 2021. Showcasing his racecraft from the first race in Bahrain, the #22 driver garnered praise from F1's Technical Director and legendary team boss Ross Brawn. Tsunoda continued the form through the next three seasons.
Now, with rumors of Sergio Perez getting dropped soon, Tsunoda says he is ready to challenge the Mexican driver for the seat in Red Bull Racing.
"Obviously, I'm feeling ready, compared to the last three years, to fight against top teams, higher positions, even with Max or whatever," Yuki Tsunoda said during an interview with Sky Sports F1.
Here's a look at the X post by Sky Sports F1, captioned:
"I am ready to FIGHT!" 💪 Yuki Tsunoda believes he is ready to step up to Red Bull with pressure mounting on Sergio Perez 👀"
Some fans believe that Tsunoda's move to Red Bull Racing will be an explosive one, largely due to the unabashed nature of the young Japanese driver on the team radio.
"If he joins redbull You’ll only be able to watch max and Yuki onboard if the race is after 9pm uk time," commented a fan and senior F1 creator in a sarcastic way.
Apart from Tsunoda, RBR is also keeping the door open for Liam Lawson and current Formula 2 leader Isack Hadjar. Whatever may be the case, it will be interesting to see who the Austrian outfit chooses to replace 'Checo' (Perez) next year.
A brief look at Yuki Tsunoda's 2024 Formula 1 season with RB F1 so far
Despite having a dismal end to the 2023 season (14th place), Yuki Tsunoda aimed at maximizing the results in the 2024 Formula 1 season with the newly-rebranded RB F1 team (formerly AlphaTauri). However, in the first five races, the Japanese driver was unable to showcase consistency.
Tsunoda finished Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix outside of the top 10s (14th and 15th place, respectively). In spite of the odds, the #22 racer had better results in Australia, Japan, Miami, Emilia Romagna, and Monaco finishing 7th, 10th, 7th, 10th, and 8th respectively.
The only exception in the season so far was the Chinese Grand Prix, where Tsunoda had to retire the car due to damage sustained in a collision with Haas F1's Kevin Magnussen.
However, things changed drastically when RB F1 implemented updates to their race cars, making both Tsunoda and his teammate Daniel Ricciardo struggle in Canada, Spain, and Austria.
After a 10th-place finish in the British Grand Prix weekend, Yuki Tsunoda has amassed a total of 20 points (higher than his entire 2023 season score of 17 points).
