Yuki Tsunoda is now tasked with filling what his team boss calls the `most challenging seat in Formula 1` – partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
Following Liam Lawson`s brief stint in the second Red Bull car at the season`s start, Tsunoda takes over from the third race onwards, which happens to be his home race at Suzuka.
This promotion gives Tsunoda the opportunity to finally prove his readiness to compete at the top level of F1, something he has asserted for a while.
For Red Bull, this weekend in Suzuka is the first chance to assess if they made the right decision by choosing Tsunoda as Sergio Perez`s replacement, after the initial driver change caused shock and criticism.
Tsunoda Believes His Chance Is Deserved
As rumors circulated about Perez`s future due to performance dips last July, Tsunoda began expressing his frustration about the lack of opportunity to advance within Red Bull.
By then, in his fourth season with the junior team, Tsunoda had become more consistent, reducing on-track incidents and radio outbursts.
After outperforming Pierre Gasly and then Nyck de Vries, Tsunoda was also consistently performing better than Daniel Ricciardo.
`I feel ready to compete against top teams, even Max,` Tsunoda stated at the Hungarian GP last year. `Ultimately, the decision is theirs, and I focus on my performance.`
He found it `weird` that Red Bull might consider promoting the less experienced Lawson, who had a few races the previous season and was then a reserve driver.
In November, with Perez`s form declining and Lawson now his teammate after Ricciardo`s return was cut short, Tsunoda made a stronger case for a 2025 Red Bull seat.
`I deserve this seat. I keep beating whoever they put against me,` he declared, emphasizing his determination.
Partly due to Honda`s influence, Tsunoda tested the main Red Bull car in Abu Dhabi. However, it seemed Perez would leave and Lawson would take the seat, blocking Tsunoda`s path, especially with Honda moving to Aston Martin in 2025.
But Lawson`s difficulties at the start of the new season and Red Bull`s quick decision after the second race changed everything.
Tsunoda`s Suzuka Challenge
Tsunoda`s immediate task is to adapt to the RB21 car, which is acknowledged to be challenging, even by Verstappen.
Unlike Lawson, Tsunoda lacks pre-season testing in the RB21, with his first drive being in Friday practice.
Starting at his home GP could be both a benefit and a challenge. Suzuka is a familiar track for Tsunoda.
In his previous Japanese GPs, he always qualified in the top 13 for Racing Bulls and finished 10th last year, earning his first home points.
He will have strong support from Japanese fans.
Despite driving a less competitive car, Tsunoda has performed well for Racing Bulls this season, qualifying in the top 10 in every session and finishing sixth in the Shanghai Sprint.
His points tally could be higher if not for Racing Bulls` strategic errors in previous races.
Tsunoda had a seat fit and simulator time at Red Bull`s factory before Japan. The practice sessions will be crucial for building confidence with the car and establishing teamwork, something Lawson struggled to achieve.
Performance Expectations for Tsunoda
While Red Bull is known for its demanding driver program, immediate parity with Verstappen is not expected from Tsunoda.
What is expected of Red Bull`s second driver?
Commentator David Croft suggests Tsunoda needs to consistently be within a couple of tenths of Verstappen in qualifying.
`He needs to consistently score points and capitalize on opportunities,` Croft added.
`Don`t focus on beating Verstappen yet. Max is currently the best driver, even if not in the best car.`
Verstappen`s ability to perform exceptionally with a challenging car, placing him second in the championship, highlights why Horner considers this Red Bull seat so difficult.
`Yuki should race the track, not his teammate,` Croft advises.
`Focus on maximizing every session and race. Ignore who your teammate is.`
`This approach might reduce pressure compared to Racing Bulls, where expectations are lower than at Red Bull, where wins and championships are the goals.`
