Yuki Tsunoda has a lot at stake in his potentially final year of F1 with Racing Bulls. The Japanese driver did not get to partner with Max Verstappen in favor of Liam Lawson, the semi-rookie.
The 24-year-old driver felt betrayed after Red Bull decided to promote Lawson to the seat he coveted for four years. However, he has not held it against Red Bull and continues racing for the dream of making it into the senior team. Despite being overlooked by Red Bull, there is still a chance for him to take the seat away from Lawson as the season begins.
Liam Lawson handed a warning ahead of 2025 season
The Kiwi has to prove he is worthy of the Red Bull seat. F1 is a cutthroat sport, especially in the case of Red Bull. The Austrian team is not beyond sacking underperforming drivers in the middle of the season. We have seen this with Daniel Ricciardo, Nyck de Vries, and even Sergio Perez.
Former RB driver, David Coulthard, issued a verbal warning indirectly addressed to Liam Lawson.
“If he gets close to Max or beats Max, he has a long career in Formula 1. If he doesn’t, then the bell will ring and in will come the next contender.” said DC in an interview.
Lawson has to prove he can keep up with Max Verstappen, if not defeat him, in equal machinery; otherwise, Red Bull will have no choice but to replace him. The only driver currently in contention to replace Lawson, should the need arise, is Yuki Tsunoda.
Yuki Tsunoda decided to stick with Red Bull despite being snubbed by the team. He remains steadfast to the goal of making it into the senior team. The RB driver has determined that he belongs to F1 in the 2025 season.
Yuki Tsunoda’s mindset heading into 2025
Yuki Tsunoda has built quite the skillset over the four years he has been with the Red Bull junior team. He originally joined AlphaTauri back in 2021 because of his Honda connection.
Although Honda leaving Red Bull next year also puts Tsunoda’s future in the team in doubt, he is not deterred. Tsunoda is the senior driver in his team and will have to outperform his teammate Isack Hadjar.
Yuki Tsunoda Embraces New Mindset After Red Bull Rejection for 2025
Yuki also has to perform extraordinarily this time as Carlos Sainz has entered the competition in the midfield in his Williams. Tsunoda’s contract expires in 2025, and he will have to prove his worth if he is looking to renew it with RB.
